China
PM Hasina likely to travel to India and China in first bilateral visits since forming new govt
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to embark on bilateral visits to New Delhi and Beijing within the next three months, marking her first such engagements after the January 7 national election. These visits are aimed at deepening Bangladesh's connections with India and China, Asia's two leading economic powers.
Following the formation of the new government, Prime Minister Hasina attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany in February, highlighting her active engagement on the global stage.
Diplomatic sources indicate that PM Hasina's visit to India is planned after the conclusion of the neighbouring country’s national election, which is the world's largest democratic exercise, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the vote count set for June 4.
Read more: Foreign Minister discusses visa issuance and air connectivity with Bahrain’s ambassador-designate
Pre-election surveys suggest a strong showing for the coalition led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is widely anticipated to secure re-election.
"Prime Minister's (Sheikh Hasina) India visit will definitely take place. However, it will take place after the election in India," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said.
He said it is not yet discussed at the official level when the visit will exactly take place.
In January, Prime Minister Modi extended warm congratulations to PM Hasina on her electoral victory, expressing hopes for the continued strengthening of the historically close ties between India and Bangladesh.
The last bilateral engagement between PM Modi and PM Hasina occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023, where Bangladesh was the guest country.
PM Hasina pays tribute to Father of the Nation on Independence Day
PM Modi is expected to extend invitations to South Asian and BIMSTEC country leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
Additionally, PM Hasina's forthcoming visit to China in July was underscored during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, who reiterated China's commitment to boosting investment in Bangladesh and enhancing bilateral relations.
Ambassador Yao emphasised the significance of the visit in promoting trade, investment, and cultural exchange, aligning with Bangladesh's aspirations for "Vision 2041" and the realisation of a "Smart Bangladesh."
PM Hasina wants Russian Rosatom to build another nuclear power plant at Rooppur
China invites PM Hasina to pay official visit
China has invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to pay an official visit to Beijing as the country is "ready" to work with the new government of Bangladesh to further deepen mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation in all fields.
Dhaka, Kathmandu to work together to address post-LDC challenges
"China has invited our Prime Minister to visit. Discussion is underway to arrange it at a mutually convenient time," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
The two sides had in-depth discussion on bilateral relations and regional and international affairs.
It’s people’s government: Hasan Mahmud
China said it firmly supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, unity and stability, and in opposing external interference.
PM Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to China from 1-6 July 2019. She also participated at the 13th Summer Davos Forum in Dalian.
FM hopeful of Rohingya repatriation soon
During the visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Chinese delegation meets BGMEA leaders to discuss trade and investment potential
A delegation from China, comprising representatives from the China Knitting Industrial Association and the China Cotton Textile Association, visited the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Monday.
The visit aimed at exploring potential collaboration, particularly in the textile and apparel sector to derive mutual trade benefits.
The Chinese delegation included Lin Yunfeng, chairman of China Knitting Industrial Association, Jing Shenquan, vice chairman of China Cotton Textile Association, and Wei Wei, vice director of the Department of China Knitting Industrial Association.
FBCCI president meets with finance minister, wants prices to remain stable during Ramadan
Besides, representatives from various Chinese companies specializing in textile machinery, chemicals, and raw materials were also part of the delegation.
During the visit, they met with BGMEA leaders including President Faruque Hassan, Senior Vice President S. M. Mannan (Kochi), Vice President Shahidullah Azim, and Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam.
BGMEA Directors Faisal Samad, Haroon Ar Rashid, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Md. Imranur Rahman, and Neela Hosna Ara were also present in the meeting.
Islami Bank holds 2-day Business Development Conference
They discussed trade and investment opportunities, fostering collaboration, and expanding business scope between Bangladesh and China in the textile and apparel sector.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan gave an overview of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, especially its strong emphasis on shift towards manufacturing high-value products, particularly man-made fiber-based garments.
He sought China’s investment in high-end textile and backward linkage industries in Bangladesh that would bring benefits to both sides.
He also emphasized China’s support in enhancing capabilities through the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise.
Titu affirms commitment to export diversification; calls on EU, UK to invest in jute, leather sectors
He said the shift to non-cotton apparel would lead to an increase in demand for man-made fiber-based fabrics, chemicals, and other raw materials, and China is well-positioned to meet Bangladesh’s requirements.
President Faruque Hassan also highlighted the high potential for garment exports from Bangladesh to China.
Arafat appreciates Chinese support for Bangladesh’s development
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat on Sunday appreciated China for its everlasting and firm support for Bangladesh’s national development and construction.
He noted that the Chinese side has made significant contribution to the promotion of the Bangladeshi people’s wellbeing.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met the State Minister and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Belarus PM congratulates Hasina
The two sides had in-depth discussion on people-to-people exchanges, communication, and media cooperation. Zhang Jing, Political Director of the Embassy, was present at the meeting
The Bangladeshi side is ready to further deepen bilateral practical cooperation with China in various fields, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka.
Personnel and cultural exchanges are fundamental for promoting people-to-people contact, it said.
US urges to lower threshold while forming trade union: Law Minister
He is willing to make his own contribution to the friendly cooperation between the two countries on cultural exchanges, communication and media cooperation during his tenure in the present office.
Ambassador Yao congratulated Arafat for his assumption to office, and reiterated China’s consistent and unswerving support for Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, unity and stability, and in opposing external interference.
China to speed up release of dev assistance to Bangladesh: Finance Minister
Under the joint guidance by the two leaderships, the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation has kept advancing, said the Ambassador.
Over the past years, he said, personnel and cultural exchanges have become a promising growth point for bilateral relations.
"China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to further enhance such exchanges, promote mutual learning on media and communication, thereby strengthen the bonds between the two peoples," said the American.
PM's principal secretary urges China and IFC to boost investments in Bangladesh
Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah has urged China and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to increase their investments in Bangladesh.
Tofazzel made the call when Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Country Manager Martin Holtmann paid separate courtesy calls on him at the Prime Minister's office on Thursday afternoon.
NAM Summit: FM Hasan Mahmud leading Bangladesh delegation
During the courtesy call, the Chinese ambassador thanked the Bangladesh government for holding the 12th parliamentary election in a free and fair manner and vowed to work with the new government in different sectors of Bangladesh.
Tofazzel thanked China for its significant role in the ongoing development activities of Bangladesh and for sending observers to the 12th parliamentary elections. He urged the envoy to increase Chinese investment in Bangladesh.
US rules out notion of not recognising Hasina government
In a separate meeting PM’s principal secretary requested the IFC country manager to increase private sector investment in Bangladesh and sought IFC's all-out support in implementing the “National Logistics Development Policy” proposed by the government of Bangladesh.
He also requested IFC's cooperation in expanding riverine accessibility in Bangladesh and construction of ports and jetties.
NAM Summit: Dhaka calls for greater unity, solidarity for shared prosperity
IFC Country Manager Holtmann expressed interest in providing loans to the lower and middle class people in Bangladesh's housing sector.
Officials from the Prime Minister's Office, China Embassy and IFC were present during the courtesy calls.
Bangladesh, China discuss promoting FTA negotiation and attracting investment
Bangladesh and China have discussed promoting Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiation, providing more financial support for bilateral trade, and attracting more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh.
Peter Haas says he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh Both sides think it will help Bangladesh realize its export diversification strategy and benefit the Bangladeshi people.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam (Titu) on Wednesday and discussed the issues.
EU to start negotiations on Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon, says Charles Whiteley
The two sides spoke highly of the major achievements in trade and investment between Bangladesh and China.
They agreed to expand the scale of bilateral trade, especially the export of Bangladeshi high-quality specialty products to China.
Lavrov to Hasan Mahmud: Russia-Bangladesh ties based on solid foundation of friendship
Tecno Spark 20 Review: Budget-friendly phone with a smart look
Tecno Mobile, a Chinese company based at Shenzhen, was established in 2006, as a subsidiary of Transsion Holdings. In the recent years, this brand acquired huge reputation for producing value-for-money smartphones. Spak is the budget-friendly line up of Tecno Mobile. Recently, the brand has launched Tecno Spark 20, an affordable phone with an iPhone-inspired design. This device is now available in Bangladesh. Let’s explore its features in details.
Features and Specifications of Tecno Spark 20
Design
Tecno Spark 20 phone comes with 163.7 mm by 75.6 mm by 8.5 mm dimention. It boasts a larger camera island with three circled rings for the dual cameras and a quad flashlight. The glossy camera island may attract dust, contrasting with the fingerprint-resistant plastic matte finish.
The plastic frame houses a swift side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and while lacking an official IP rating, a rubber ring suggests water resistance to some extent. Dual speakers deliver a surprisingly balanced sound, complemented by a USB C port for charging and a microphone for calls. The comfortably held phone exhibits flat surface, and robust build quality without any creaks or flexing.
Read more: Benco V91 Review: Android experience at BDT 10000
The dynamic port, reminiscent of the iPhone's dynamic island, introduces a touch of sophistication, though its functionality is somewhat constrained.
The vibrant color options, like Neon Gold, Gravity Black, Cyber White, and Magic Skin 2.0 (Blue), Spark 20 presents an eye-catching play of light.
Display
The Tecno Spark 20 sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD, featuring a commendable 90Hz refresh rate alongside a 720 by 1612 pixels resolution. The enhanced scrolling experience due to the high refresh rate is more perceptible. While the display is satisfactory for its price point, a higher 1080p resolution would have been preferable.
Its punch hole disrupts the display. Besides, it has noticeable bezels, especially the prominent chin at the bottom. However, these limitations are often found in the similarly priced devices.
Read more: Tecno Spark 20C Review: Standard phone under 15000 TK
It’s display customization options offer flexibility, allowing users to fine-tune colors. With a peak brightness of 500 nits under adaptive settings, the screen remains visible outdoors. The ability to stream YouTube videos at 2K resolution produces vibrant and sharp visuals. While responsive to touch and conducive to enjoyable gaming, a desire for a higher resolution lingers, leaving the overall display experience commendable for its budget-friendly nature.
Performance and Software
The Tecno Spark 20 runs on the MediaTek Helio G85 12nm, which, despite being an older chipset, performs well. The phone is smooth with no noticeable lag when using it, and apps open quickly.
Games also run fine, except for heavy ones. It handles everyday tasks like calls, texts, and content consumption without a hitch. Multitasking is decent, except for heavy games. Compared to the Spark 10 with the MediaTek Helio G37, there's an improvement in performance.
Read more: Honor 90 Lite Review: Performance within Budget
Dhaka not deviating from Beijing-prescribed 'One China' policy
Bangladesh has reiterated her firm adherence to ‘One China’ policy and urged the parties concerned to refrain from any unwarranted provocation.
Dhaka also urged the parties concerned to work towards lasting peace and stability in the region in the spirit of the UN Charter.
"Bangladesh has closely followed the recent election in Taiwan," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a brief message shared from its verified Facebook page on Monday night.
Jaishankar invites Hasan Mahmud to pay visit to India
On the other hand, Comrade Dilip Barua, General Secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh (M-L), said that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.”
He made the remark in a statement issued regarding the election of the Taiwan region.
The election of the Taiwan region is China’s internal affairs, Barua said.
Dhaka, Delhi discuss expansion of trade, connectivity
Regardless of the result, it will not change the basic fact that Taiwan is an integral part of China, he said.
“The One China principle has long been a widely recognised norm governing international relations and an overwhelming consensus shared by the international community,” Barua said.
The Communist Party of Bangladesh (M-L) will continue adhering to the One China principle and firmly opposes so-called “Taiwan independence”, he said.
Earlier, Hasanul Haq Inu, President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JASOD (Socialist Party), Bangladesh condemned the US and UK for rendering their open political support to 'separatist political forces' in Taiwan.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni congratulates Sheikh Hasina
Inu said that the US and UK are violating their promise to the One China principle again.
JASOD, in a statement, said they will continue adhering to One China principle and firmly oppose “Taiwan independence”.
Chinese Ambassador outlines vision for deeper ties ahead of 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said China is ready to work with Bangladesh to expand new cooperation in a wider range of areas.
He mentioned higher levels of connectivity, renewable energy, the Blue Economy, financial stability, digital empowerment, scientific and technological innovation, agriculture and food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable development as areas of cooperation.
"With joint efforts, we will achieve common development and promote together the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," said Ambassador Yao in an article.
The Ambassador said the two nations are set to embrace a historic opportunity to further elevate bilateral relations and friendly cooperation in various fields by 2025, the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
Read more: Election 2024: China congratulates PM Hasina, says committed to working with her
Over the past 52 years since its independence, Bangladesh has always been committed to exploring the path of modernization in line with its own national conditions, and has made commendable achievements, he said.
The Ambassador said China hopes that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the new Bangladeshi government will lead the people to proceed faster and steadier on the path of national prosperity and rejuvenation.
On January 11, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier of State Council Li Qiang sent congratulatory messages to Sheikh Hasina on her reelection as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
The Chinese leaders expected that the two countries would make joint efforts to further implement the important consensus President Xi Jinping reached with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Johannesburg, South Africa last August, enhance political mutual trust, promote traditional friendship, further synergize development strategies, and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, so as to uplift the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new height.
Read more: China sees brighter future with Bangladesh: Chinese envoy to Dhaka
China and Bangladesh are both developing and populous countries at a critical stage of their respective development and revitalisation, said the Ambassador.
China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world, forging a broader international consensus, proposing more effective solutions and enhancing the practicality and guidance for building a community with a shared future for humankind.
"We advocate that the multipolar world should be equal, that is, to insist on the equality of all countries, oppose hegemony and power politics, oppose the monopoly of a few countries in international affairs, and effectively promote the democratisation of international relations," he said.
International issues should be resolved through consultation among all countries, and the future and destiny of the world should be in the hands of all countries.
Building a community with a shared future for humankind underscores the general trend of history and the direction of the people’s hearts, he said.
“More and more countries have come to realize that the future of the world should be jointly controlled by all countries, and created by all of us hand in hand,” said the Ambassador.
Read more: Envoys of India, China, Russia and four other countries congratulate Hasina on her big election victory
Envoys of India, China, Russia and four other countries congratulate Hasina on her big election victory
The envoys of India, Russia, China, Bhutan, Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka paid a courtesy call on Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban on Monday (January 08, 2024) morning.
Besides, the delegation of Aga Khan Diplomatic Representatives also met her.
Read more: Visiting foreign observers describe National Election 2024 in Bangladesh as ‘free, fair and safe’
On behalf of their respective countries and organisation, they congratulated Hasina on her party’s absolute victory in Sunday's 12th National Parliamentary Election, according to a release from PM’s press wing.
The delegates expressed their firm commitment to continue cooperation with Bangladesh, it said.
The prime minister thanked them and sought their cooperation in the development and advancement of Bangladesh.
Read more: India congratulates PM Hasina on election victory, hopes for ‘even stronger momentum’ in ties