China
Learning Bangla in China's Yunnan: Enhanced commercial ties drive growing interest
Five Chinese universities in Yunnan province have been teaching Bangla language and cultures to students that play a big role in promoting trade and business ties between China and Bangladesh.
According to teachers at the Chinese universities, interest in learning Bangla language is growing day-by-day among students, and Chinese people in general.
“Our students are really enjoying the Bangla language learning. We want more cooperation between Bangladesh and China in this academic field” said Prof Hu Jinming, vice president of Yunnan University, while meeting a group of Bangladeshi journalists who recently visited the university.
Prof Hu, who has visited Bangladesh a number of times to enhance cooperation between the University of Dhaka and Yunnan University, informed that he is now working to establish cooperation with other public and private universities in Bangladesh.
Read: Japan provides 500 million yen for 4th Primary Education Development Programme
He believes learning Bangla by Chinese students will enhance communications between the two nations and understand each other’s' culture.
Besides Yunnan University, the remaining other four universities in the province are Communication University, Peking University, Minzu University and Kunming University.
In addition, the teachers said, there are three universities in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, that also teach Bangla language and culture.
Subarna Aktar, a Bangladeshi citizen who teaches Bangla in the School of Foreign Languages of Yunnan University, said many Chinese students are getting interested to learn Bangla because of the expanding trade relations between the two countries.
Read: Inadequate education budget hinders growth, students say; demand increase
Echoing Subarna, Mishkat Sharif, another Bangladeshi teacher at the Bangla Department in Minzu University, said those who learn the language have better job opportunities with different companies who have been doing businesses in Bangladesh.
"Some Chinese students after passing out of university are even setting up their own businesses and doing business with Bangladesh. It gives them an extra advantage to understand their customers' needs," Sharif added.
China has emerged as Bangladesh's biggest trade partner in recent years, with bilateral trade topping $27 billion in 2022, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Of that total, China's exports exceeded $26 billion, while Bangladesh's exports to China amount to less than $1 billion.
According to the teachers, Bangla Departments at the Chinese universities allow an intake of 20-25 students every other year to learn Bangla language and culture.
Read more: Budget 2023-24: Govt allocates Tk88,162 crore in education sector, up 8.2%
On the other hand, many Bangladeshi students are increasingly attending Chinese universities, especially in Yunnan, to study different subjects.
Currently, there are 121 Bangladeshi students studying at Yunnan University, Ahmed Moin Uddin, a graduate of the School of International Chinese Language Education, told UNB. In the last 10 years, more than 1000 Bangladesh students graduated from Yunnan University, he added.
Dialogues between parties not held in other countries, including in the US: Momen
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (July 08, 2023) said he is not aware that dialogue between political parties over election brought any results in the past.
He said the government will not talk to “any terrorists.”
The foreign minister said such dialogues are not held in other countries, including in the US, and referred to those as "useless" discussion.
Momen was responding to questions on political dialogue at ‘DCAB Talk’ at the Foreign Service Academy.
He said foreigners can come and observe the elections. "We remain transparent. We have nothing to hide."
Momen displeased at ‘seeking solutions’ of Bangladesh's internal issues from foreigners
Momen said the next election will be held as per the constitution. "We have a good track record of holding good elections. We are doing our best."
Responding to a question on recent remarks by China and Russia, he said those are their remarks. "You may ask them."
Momen said democracy is a dynamic process and it becomes mature through practice.
He said the next election will be a model election in the world. "We want all parties, who are willing, to join the elections."
Justice delayed is justice denied, resolve case involving Rohingyas as soon as possible: Momen tells ICC Prosecutor
The foreign minister also said there is no problem if any “terrorist party” does not join the election.
Foreign Minister Momen has said that he fears there are efforts of hindering the national elections.
“We have indication some are trying to hinder the election process,” he said, without elaborating further whether they are from Bangladesh or outside the country.
Asked who are those making such efforts to hinder elections, he sad, “You know it better. You are journalists."
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary Emrul Kayesh also spoke on the occasion.
Dev agencies should concentrate on development issues, not politics: Momen
Better flood management: China offers assistance for dredging rivers in Bangladesh
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has offered assistance for dredging relevant rivers in Bangladesh — to improve their capacity for better management of flood situations.
Ambassador Yao met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (July 05, 2023) and discussed issues of mutual interest.
While exchanging views on climate change, the issue of the prevailing monsoon and its impact on possible flood situation in the country, particularly the occurrence of flash-floods, came up, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also read: China welcomes Bangladesh to BRICS as the grouping seeks expansion: Spokesperson
Foreign Minister Momen reviewed the efforts for facilitating the desired repatriation of the Rohingyas, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds, to their homeland in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
They also reviewed the ongoing bilateral cooperation in various multilateral and international forums.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Momen reiterated Bangladesh’s commitments for further enhancing the ‘South-South Cooperation’ for greater collective benefit of the global South.
He referred to innovative approaches including that of the Community Clinics introduced in Bangladesh by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which is now internationally appreciated.
Also read: China says PM Hasina's remarks against sanctions reflect a ‘large part of int'l community's mind’
Momen observed that a developing country like Bangladesh could apply a lot of practical, simple and viable Chinese innovations for the benefit of the people.
The Chinese envoy spoke about the different development projects in Bangladesh that are being carried out with support from China.
Foreign Minister Momen thanked China as a development partner.
He encouraged greater Chinese investment in Bangladesh to facilitate more job creation and transfer of technology and skills.
Also read: Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh will further promote sustainable development, deepening ties: Ambassador Yao
Momen also stressed on initiatives for reducing the huge trade imbalance between the two countries.
As the ambassador extended invitations to the foreign minister to various events in China, the latter thanked him and took note of it.
US and China are talking at a high level again, but their rivalry remains unchecked
The United States and China may be back to talking at a high level, but their battle for global power and influence remains unchecked and mutual suspicion still runs deep.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken set low goals for his visit to Beijing this week, and he met them. About the most the rivals can hope for these days is to stop things getting much worse.
Blinken pointed to difficult days ahead, while China’s foreign ministry warned the relationship was in a downward spiral.
“It was clear coming in that the relationship was at a point of instability, and both sides recognized the need to work to stabilize it,” Blinken said of the reason for his trip. “And specifically, we believe that it’s important to establish better lines of communication, open channels of communication, both to address misperceptions, miscalculations and to ensure that that competition doesn’t veer into conflict.”
The two-day visit to the Chinese capital helped restore top-level ties, but China rebuffed a U.S. request to resume military-to-military contacts. Neither government appears convinced of the other's honesty.
While the two countries say they're not enemies intent on harming each other, they're not pretending to be friends.
Blinken and Xi pledge to stabilize deteriorated US-China ties, but China rebuffs the main US request
After meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, Blinken acknowledged entrenched differences. “We have no illusions about the challenges of managing this relationship. There are many issues on which we profoundly, even vehemently, disagree,” he said.
Xi sounded a similar note, but suggested that the rivalry could be overcome.
“The competition among major countries is not in line with the trend of the times and cannot solve the problems of the United States itself and the challenges facing the world,” he told Blinken. “China respects the interests of the United States and will not challenge or supplant the United States. Similarly, the United States should also respect China and not harm its legitimate rights and interests.”
Danny Russel, the top U.S. diplomat for Asia during the Obama administration who is currently vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, said these so-called “negative assurances” -– that China respects the U.S. and is not looking to displace the United States. and that the U.S. is not trying to contain or hinder China -– are important to prevent a collapse in ties.
Blinken to meet Xi, State Department says, in bid to ease US-China tensions
“Both sides clearly used the visit to help stabilize the relationship, which has been lurching toward dangerously intense confrontation,” he said. And, although both the U.S. and China mentioned specific disagreements, especially about Taiwan, Russel said that “the public statements by the two sides were notably positive, particularly by recent standards.”
But Washington and Beijing remain deeply suspicious of each other's actions and intentions.
From the U.S. perspective, China’s rise has challenged its global position.
Washington is racing to repair and shore up its relationships in regions where China has made inroads, particularly Africa and the Indo-Pacific, where the U.S. has opened or plans to open at least five new embassies this year.
Behind the scenes, the U.S. believes China has ulterior and perhaps nefarious motives.
An internal U.S. State Department document prepared earlier this year that focuses on China’s role at the United Nations and other international organizations said Beijing “believes that the People’s Republic of China must dominate and shape international institutions, standards and values in order to advance both its domestic and global agenda.”
“It views the established rules and norms in the U.N. system and other international organizations as privileging Westerns countries, supporting liberal democratic principles, and posing a threat to its monopoly on domestic political power and assertive global ambitions,” said the document, which is marked “SBU,” which means “sensitive but unclassified” and was obtained by The Associated Press.
The document accuses China of having “undertaken a systematic campaign to subvert existing principles and standards, promote authoritarian ideology and policy (and) reprioritize economic development over human rights and democratic governance.”
In addition, it says China is working “to undermine or reshape international law and standards, institutions, and values to legitimize its own development and governance models, including related to human rights (and) using its economic and political influence to compromise institutions’ transparency, effectiveness, independence and alignment with foundational norms and values.”
From the Chinese perspective, the U.S. is clinging to fading glory as the world's lone superpower, and seeking to sabotage China's development and growing international stature by sowing mistrust about Beijing's intentions.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi demanded on Monday that the U.S. stop “hyping the ‘China threat theory’" and “urged the United States not to project on China the template that a strong country must seek hegemony.”
He also said China should not be judged “in the vein of traditional Western powers,” concluding that a change of perspective “is the key on whether the U.S. policy towards China can truly return to objectivity and rationality.”
The rivals are now trying to negotiate more visits: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang agreed in principle to an invitation to visit Washington and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to visit China later this summer, while there are also discussions about a new meeting between Xi and President Joe Biden.
But it’s not clear if China and the U.S. have found any issue of substance they can negotiate about. More talks could help with short-term easing of tensions, but it's unlikely to change the fact of a global rivalry.
Xi meets Blinken in Beijing
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Great Hall of the People on Monday.
Xi said that Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang described their talks with Secretary Blinken as candid and in-depth.
Also Read: Blinken to meet Xi, State Department says, in bid to ease US-China tensions
"The Chinese side has made its position clear, and the two sides have agreed to follow through on the common understandings President Biden and I reached in Bali," said Xi, adding that the two sides also made progress and reached agreement on some specific issues.
Also Read: Blinken opens second day of talks in Beijing on mission to ease soaring US-China tensions
State-to-state interactions should always be based on mutual respect and sincerity, said Xi. "I hope that Secretary Blinken, through this visit, could make positive contributions to stabilizing China-U.S. relations."
Also Read: Blinken opens second day of talks in Beijing on mission to ease soaring US-China tensions
Bangladesh's sovereign right to pursue independent policy must be respected by all: Foreign Ministry
Bangladesh says it expects respect from all concerned towards the country's sovereign right to pursue independent domestic as well as foreign policy based on the motto “friendship to all, malice towards none”, as conceived by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (June 15, 2023) noted the remarks made by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the context of some recent comments made by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
“In this connection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh would like to underscore that Bangladesh, like any self-respecting country, attaches highest importance to the values of sovereignty and freedom to decide its own course of action—both domestic and foreign—for the betterment of its people, to realise the dream of the Father of the Nation by implementing the visions laid by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the ministry said.
Read: EMF seeks cooperation of MoFA for inviting foreign observers
On Wednesday, China said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks against US sanctions were "not just the strong position of the Bangladeshi people, but also the mind of a large part of the international community, especially the developing world."
"We have noted the recent remarks by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Indeed, while turning a blind eye to its own racial discrimination, gun violence and drug proliferation problems, a certain country has long been interfering in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and many other developing countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights," said Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin, commenting on sanctions on Bangladesh.
He said Bangladesh and China have been traditionally friendly neighbours.
Read:Russia a tested friend; no adverse impacts on existing relations: MoFA Spokesperson
"We firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, upholding independent domestic and foreign policies, and pursuing a development path that suits its national realities," said the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson.
He said they stand ready to work together with Bangladesh and other countries to oppose all forms of hegemony and power politics, uphold the UN-centred international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Read more: Bangladesh plans to send medical, rescue teams to Türkiye: MoFA spokesperson
China says PM Hasina's remarks against sanctions reflect a ‘large part of int'l community's mind’
China has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks against US sanctions were "not just the strong position of the Bangladeshi people, but also the mind of a large part of the international community, especially the developing world."
Read: Bangladesh, Denmark launch action plan to strengthen partnership on green transition
"We have noted the recent remarks by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Indeed, while turning a blind eye to its own racial discrimination, gun violence and drug proliferation problems, a certain country has long been interfering in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and many other developing countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights," said Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin, commenting on sanctions on Bangladesh.
Read: Record 108.4 mln people forcibly displaced by end of 2022: UNHCR
He said Bangladesh and China have been traditionally friendly neighbours.
"We firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, upholding independent domestic and foreign policies, and pursuing a development path that suits its national realities," said the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson.
Read: Japan provides critical funding to WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for Rohingyas
He said they stand ready to work together with Bangladesh and other countries to oppose all forms of hegemony and power politics, uphold the UN-centred international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Chinese navy ship pays port call to Philippines in goodwill tour of region
A Chinese navy training ship with hundreds of cadets made a port call in the Philippines on Wednesday, its final stop on a goodwill tour of four countries as Beijing looks to mend fences in the region.
Cadets in dress whites stood at attention on deck of the Qi Jiguang as they were welcomed at the port in Manila by Philippine military officials on shore, while artists in dragon costumes performed a traditional dance and onlookers waved Chinese and Philippine flags.
China's ambassador to the Philippines was on hand for the ceremony but neither he nor any of the Philippine officials made any comment to the media.
Also Read: China complains to South Korean ambassador in tit-for-tat move after Seoul summoned Beijing’s envoy
It was a rare visit for a Chinese naval ship to the Philippines, whose new government under Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been strengthening ties with the United States, including more joint military exercises and in February granting the American military greater access to the country's military facilities.
China, meantime, has become increasingly assertive in pressing its broad claims to the strategic South China Sea, which has put it at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.
In February, a Chinese coast guard ship aimed a military-grade laser at a Philippine patrol vessel off a disputed reef, temporarily blinding some crew members and prompting the Philippines to intensify its patrols in the South China Sea.
Also Read: US confirms China has had a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019
The ship's visit comes a week after joint U.S., Japanese and Philippine coast guard law enforcement drills in the area.
President Joe Biden's administration has been broadly working to reinforce alliances in the Indo-Pacific to push back against China's sweeping maritime claims, including threats against the self-governing island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own.
The largest naval training ship of China's People's Liberation Army Navy, the Qi Jiguang was to be in port for three days. It was the end of a nearly 40-day voyage for 476 naval cadets and sailors from China's well-known Dalian Naval Academy.
When it set off in mid-May, there was no mention of the various territorial disputes China is embroiled in, with official media reporting it as an opportunity for the cadets to visit foreign military vessels, academies and training facilities, and help "deepen the friendship with local people."
Also Read: A US-China war will be an ‘unbearable disaster’, world big enough for both superpowers: Chinese Defence Minister
Only members of the Chinese-Filipino community were allowed to board the Qi Jiguang on Wednesday, but the ship was to be opened to the broader public on Thursday and Friday.
Yong Ning Cai, a Chinese-Chinese businessman who was on the pier to watch the Qi Jiguang's arrival, was one of those allowed to board the ship and said he was impressed by its "advanced and high-end" equipment.
"This is a ship of our motherland and it is built very well, better than those in other countries," he said. "This visit is very successful and will definitely promote the friendship between China and the Philippines."
China complains to South Korean ambassador in tit-for-tat move after Seoul summoned Beijing’s envoy
A Chinese official lodged a complaint with South Korea's ambassador to China, in a tit-for-tat move after Beijing's envoy to South Korea was summoned last week over his comments accusing Seoul of tilting toward the United States.
Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong expressed dissatisfaction with Seoul's response to last week's meeting between Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming and a South Korean opposition leader, according to a statement Sunday from China's Foreign Ministry.
Also Read: South Korea, US troops to hold massive live-fire drills near border with North Korea
Nong said it was Xing's duty to meet with different people in South Korea and he hoped Seoul would reflect on the relationship between the two countries and work with China to promote healthy and stable ties, the statement added.
The diplomatic row between China and South Korea comes amid fierce competition between Washington and Beijing for global influence.
South Korea, whose economy depends greatly on exports of computer memory chips and other technology products, has struggled to strike a balance between the United States, its decades-long military ally, and China, the biggest buyer of its goods.
On Friday, South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin warned Xing over his "senseless and provocative" remarks made during a meeting with South Korean Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, a key rival of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeo.
Also Read: US confirms China has had a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019
In the meeting last week, Xing accused Yoon's government of leaning excessively toward Seoul's treaty ally, the U.S., and damaging its relations with China.
Xing said South Korea was entirely to blame for the "many difficulties" in bilateral relations, citing its growing trade deficit with China, which he attributed to "de-Chinaization" efforts, apparently referring to actions by South Korean companies to shift their supply chains away from China.
Also read: World leaders warn China and North Korea on nukes as Ukraine's Zelenskyy travels to G7 summit
His comments quickly drew ire from Seoul, which accused Xing of violating diplomatic protocols and interfering with South Korean domestic politics.
US defense secretary discusses upgrading ties with India to counter China
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday discussed upgrading partnership with India, a major arms buyer, as both countries grapple with China's economic rise and increased belligerence, officials said.
Austin met with India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, with both sides emphasizing technology partnerships including defense, clean energy and space. India is working to promote its domestic defense industry by acquiring technology and reducing reliance on imports, particularly from Russia, its largest supplier of military hardware despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
"I'm returning to India to meet with key leaders for discussions about strengthening our Major Defense Partnership. Together, we're advancing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," Austin tweeted after his arrival in New Delhi on Sunday.
Also Read: Indian Army Chief arrives in Dhaka on 2-day visit
Austin, who is on his second visit to India, was expected to lay the groundwork for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington on June 22, which has fuelled speculation about a possible announcement of defense contracts.
India is looking to buy 18 armed high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. for an estimated $1.5 billion to $2 billion, said Rahul Bedi, a defense analyst. The UAVs would likely be deployed along its restive borders with China and Pakistan and in the strategic Indian Ocean region, Bedi said.
Indian media reports said a joint production and manufacture of combat aircraft engines, infantry combat vehicles, howitzers and their precision ordnance were discussed last month in Washington at a meeting of the U.S.-India Defense Policy Group.
Austin arrived in New Delhi from Singapore, where he attended the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual forum bringing together top defense officials, diplomats and leaders. Austin lobbied for support for Washington's vision of a "free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights" as the best course to counter increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
Also Read: ‘Asian Century’ presents an opportunity to South Asia: India
China's Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu said at the conference that the U.S. has been "deceiving and exploiting" Asia-Pacific nations to advance its own self-interests to preserve "its dominant position."
Li suggested that Washington has been holding on to alliances that are "remnants of the Cold War" and establishing new pacts, like the AUKUS agreement with Britain and Australia and the Quad grouping with Australia, India and Japan, "to divide the world into ideologically-driven camps and provoke confrontation."
India is trying a balancing act in its ties with Washington and Moscow, and has been reducing its dependence on Russian arms by also buying from the U.S., France, Germany and other countries.
The U.S. defense trade with India has risen from near zero in 2008 to over $20 billion in 2020. Major Indian purchases from the United States included long-range maritime patrol aircraft, C-130 transport aircraft, missiles and drones.
Experts say up to 60% of Indian defense equipment comes from Russia, and New Delhi finds itself in a bind at a time when it is facing a 3-year-old border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, where tens of thousands of soldiers are stationed within shooting distance. Twenty Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops died in a clash in 2020.