China is closely following Bangladesh’s political situation, its ambassador in Dhaka Li Jun has said.
He expressed the hope that the country’s major political parties would resolve the current political crisis through a “peaceful and constructive dialogue”.
“I believe you have the wisdom,” he told journalists, replying a question after he called on the new foreign minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali at the latter’s office.
He favoured ‘constructive and peaceful’ dialogue to break the current political deadlock over the nature of the poll-time government.
“We’re neighbours. We follow closely what’s happening,” he said, adding that, as a traditional friend, “China supports a stable, peaceful, prosperous and independent Bangladesh”.
He described such peace and stability as being ‘fundamental’ to the wellbeing of the people of the country.
“China fully understands that social and political stability is a must for a nation’s development,” said the envoy, who was the first to suggest a face-to-face dialogue between the two top leaders of the warring forces – the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP.
The ruling party has installed an all-party interim cabinet comprising MPs, but the BNP has so far stuck to its demand for a non-party caretaker regime to oversee the elections.
The BNP has also rejected the Jan 5 election date the Election Commission announced on Monday, and is now enforcing a 48-hour countrywide blockade.
The Chinese envoy said the new foreign minister had given him an overall picture of the recent political developments in the light of the constitutional provisions. “I also expect a very constructive outcome.”
He emphasised the strengthening Sino-Bangla relations, with China being interested in furthering regional cooperation with the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar or the BCIM group.
Source: Bd news24