China, Bangladesh will explore new diplomatic, defence cooperation platforms: Yao Wen

China and Bangladesh are discussing new platforms to better align diplomatic and defence cooperation as the two countries seek to advance ties under their newly announced “China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future”, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said.

Speaking at a press conference at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday, Yao said the upgraded relationship represented “a new definition of cooperation”, reports bdnews24.com.

“Now we are a community for a shared future. So it is a new definition of cooperation,” he said.

“It means the highest level of cooperation. So we need some mechanism to support high level cooperation.”

The ambassador said the two sides had agreed in their joint communique to explore two new political-level platforms.

One is a strategic dialogue between the two foreign ministers, while the other is a “two-plus-two” dialogue bringing together diplomacy and defence.

Referring to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s upcoming role as president of the next UN General Assembly, Yao said: “The two foreign ministers will talk more about strategic issues related to our bilateral relations and also regional and international issues.”

Explaining the proposed two-plus-two mechanism, he said China sought not only high-level political exchanges but also extensive defence cooperation.

“With this platform, that means more alignment on the diplomatic sector and defence sectors they see together.

“So that’s a way to enhance our strategic communication, mutual trust and cooperation on these issues.”

Yao stressed that the mechanism had not yet been finalised.

“It is still to explore, it doesn’t mean it’s already there. So we are going to explore in which way these two plus two will be established. So we still need to discuss.”

He noted that China already has two-plus-two arrangements with several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Thailand.

The ambassador also said Bangladesh would not be the first country to adopt such a framework.

“Bangladesh already decided to have two plus two on the minister level with Turkey during Turkey’s foreign minister visit just a few weeks ago.

“So China is not the first. You already have the one with Turkey. It is also out of the suggestion from both sides.”

During Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Beijing, the two countries announced that their bilateral relationship would be elevated to a “China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future”.

This is the highest level of bilateral relationship that China establishes with other countries.

Responding to another question, Ambassador Yao said China has established this highest-level partnership with more than 20 countries.

In South Asia, Bangladesh has become the second country, after Pakistan, to attain this status.

On The Purchase Of J-10C Fighter Jets

Ahead of Tarique’s visit, several media outlets reported that Bangladesh was considering purchasing J-10C fighter jets from China.

When asked about the matter, Yao Wen declined to comment.

He said, “You may notice that in the joint communique the two sides agree to deepen defence cooperation including exchanges, visits, training, and both sides agree to maintain mutual understanding and engagement on UN peacekeeping affairs.So what I say is, our cooperation is very comprehensive. So defence cooperation is also part of it.”

“But I’m not in a position to pinpoint any particular purchase project. So please understand I’m not in a position to make comments.”

However, the envoy said that the two countries’ relations are elevated to the community of shared future.

“We see more cooperation in all areas including defence cooperation.”