BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said China has expressed its willingness to work more closely and warmly with Bangladesh’s next elected government.

“China has expressed the hope that it will work with Bangladesh’s next elected government with even greater sincerity, steadfastness, love and affection,” he told a press conference. The press briefing was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, following a recent visit to China by a nine-member BNP delegation led by Fakhrul.

During the visit, Fakhrul said the BNP team discussed the Teesta project with Chinese authorities. “We explained our needs and requirements regarding this project and they responded positively.

He said the Chinese side is still working on the Teesta River water management project. “If they (China) propose this project in the future when we are given the responsibility of running the government, we think we will consider it positively.”

Fakhrul said the BNP delegation also urged China to play a more effective role in ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

He said the Chinese authorities assured them of their sincere efforts to convince the Myanmar government to agree to a quick repatriation of the Rohingyas. The BNP leader said their visit has opened a window to improve and strengthen the friendly relations between the two “brotherly” countries—a bond he hopes will grow stronger in the future.

On June 22, a high-level nine-member BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, visited China for five days at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The other eight members of the BNP delegation were BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Begum Selima Rahman, Chairperson’s Advisers Zahir Uddin Swapan, Ismail Zabiullah, Professor Sukomal Barua, the party’s media cell convener Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, and BNP Chairperson’s Personal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.

During the visit, Fakhrul said the BNP delegation held meetings with senior CPC leaders and discussed bilateral issues and ways to strengthen ties between the CPC and the BNP. Replying to a question, he said China is very positive about helping Bangladesh return to a democratic process. “They have expressed interest in working with an elected government.”

The BNP leader said they clearly conveyed their party’s firm stance on the ‘One China Policy’. “BNP believes in the One-China Policy. We have never deviated from it. A Taiwanese Trade Centre was opened here in Dhaka during BNP’s rule for a few days, but it was later shut down.” During the meeting with the Communist Party leaders, Fakhrul said they clearly expressed their strong support for the 'One China Policy'.

"At the same time, we respectfully acknowledged the remarkable development and global progress achieved by China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, as well as the positive aspects of the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.

When asked about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the BNP leader said work on the projects is already underway. “If there is any remaining work that the Bangladeshi government believes would benefit the country, they will undoubtedly consider it.”

Responding to another question, Fakhrul said China wants Bangladesh to maintain good relations with its neighbours. He said they urged the Chinese authorities to play a greater role in the development of Bangladesh’s infrastructure, digital technology, semiconductors, renewable energy, medical and healthcare services, higher education, communication, modern agricultural technology, SME businesses, the blue economy and the transfer of advanced technologies.

During the meeting with CPC Politburo member Li Hongzhong, Fakhrul said a formal invitation was extended to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to visit China. He said Li Hongzhong also expressed hope on behalf of China for starting fresh engagement with a newly elected government in Bangladesh in the near future.

“We have called for cooperation based on mutual respect, with a shared vision for development and prosperity—where the highest priority is placed on people and public welfare. At the same time, considering the changing regional and geopolitical context, we respectfully appreciated China’s stance in support of the oppressed and called for greater visibility and a broader scope for that position,” the BNP leader said.

He said they also discussed a range of other issues, including the construction of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital, taking practical steps to preserve agricultural products from the northern region and boost export opportunities, making treatment easier for Bangladeshi patients in four specialised hospitals in Kunming and initiatives to establish international land connectivity between China and Bangladesh. Fakhrul said the CPC has proposed signing a two-year political memorandum of understanding with BNP. “We have accepted this as a positive move.”