Are China and Bangladesh best buddies, and if so, why?
We learn from the Bangladesh news organization Prothom Alo that China “prefers to maintain relations with all political parties [of Bangladesh], whether in government or in opposition,” presumably including a formerly ruling political party that had a habit of throwing opponents in jail.
Be that as it may, “Polls show that 90 percent of Bangladeshi people hold a favorable opinion of China,” asserts Liu Haixing, a Chinese Communist Party official participating in a recent Bangladesh forum on the topic of “Where History Illuminates Future: China-Bangladesh ‘Political Parties Plus.’ ”
The 90 percent number doesn’t seem supported. But 61 percent say that their view is positive in response to the question “How do you evaluate Bangladesh’s growing bilateral relations with China, especially in the post-Uprising context?” Thus, only almost two thirds of Bangladeshi opinion-poll respondents are happy about becoming further entangled with Beijing, maybe.
Prothom Alo seems to be on Liu’s side. At least it gives him the floor, publishing lengthy stretches of his remarks at the History Illumines forum.
Sayings of Liu Haixing
According to comrade Liu Haixing: “History has bestowed on us a precious friendship that spans generations…standing at a new historical starting point….carry forward our friendship…turn our traditional friendship into momentum for progress and let China-Bangladesh relations shine more brilliantly in the new era…mutual understanding and affinity…I cherish a special bond…the continuity of China-Bangladesh friendship…our friendship enjoys enduring vitality that transcends time….remarkable chapter of friendship between close neighbors…shared future in the new era, charting the course for a new chapter in our friendship…must stay firmly on course…committed to friendship….stand firm as trusted good friends, neighbors and partners…nine China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridges bear witness to new chapters of our friendship…nourish China-Bangladesh friendship…friends present here today….”
So, something about…friendship?
If you’re in the audience, how can you avoid nodding along?
“Yes…I am friend…of…China…. Friend…friend…. Autocracy…repression…. Debt-trap diplomacy…. My favorite things… O great and powerful China, thank you, friendly friend….”
Further themes
Friend Liu also shares something about “multilateral frameworks…equal and orderly multipolar world.”
About the “key development junctures” that the friend-countries have reached. “China has begun the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, while Bangladesh has entered a new stage of political transition.”
About the gloriousness of the Chinese Communist Party and the innovative ideas of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, which can be applied to “political parties and all sectors of Bangladesh.”
About the economic-political snares: “Bangladesh was the first South Asian country to sign a memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road cooperation with China…. Today, progress is steady on major projects such as the Mongla Port Industrial Park and the comprehensive treatment and restoration of the Teesta River…. We must stand together through thick and thin and jointly build a path of friendship.”
Bangladesh owes only about $6.2 billion to China, so far (“with the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank having lent a further $2.3 billion”). And let’s not forget, these two countries are friends.
