The Chinese naval fleet arrived at Bangladesh's southeastern seaport city Chattogram on a four-day goodwill visit on October 12. Photo Credit: ISPR

on November 10, 2024

Bangladesh seeks more defense cooperation from China

By Diplomatic Correspondent

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has sought more defense sector cooperation from Beijing, saying Chinese training has increased Bangladesh's UN peacekeeping capabilities.

“We have very important defense cooperation between China and Bangladesh. China is a major supplier of our defense equipment. And the modernization of our military services that we are looking forward to, I think we need a lot of cooperation in this respect from China,” he said while speaking at a seminar on Bangladesh-China relations on October 14.

Another area he mentioned is cooperation in personnel training. “We have very deep defense training cooperation and this needs to continue and be enhanced, if possible,” the adviser said, adding: “Cooperation with China also increased our capability in participation in UN peacekeeping operations which are important for our country.”

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and experts from both sides spoke at the seminar organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in collaboration with the Centre for China Studies, Dhaka University.

The foreign adviser said that it is likely that the post-revolution trajectory of Bangladesh and its future relations with China might be influenced by various factors, including Bangladesh's political stability as well as the changing dynamics of regional and global politics.

Meanwhile, Chinese naval fleet – Qi Jiguang and Jinggang Shan arrived at Bangladesh's southeastern seaport city Chattogram on a four-day goodwill visit on October 12

Of the two naval ships, Qi Jiguang has been berthed at Chattogram port on October 12. Commander of Chattogram Naval Region Chief Staff Officer Captain M Asaduzzaman welcomed the ship at a port jetty.

The ISPR said a well-decorated navy band played a traditional band while welcoming the ship. Among others, local high-ranking officials of the Bangladesh Navy, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and other representatives were present.

The other ship Jinggang Shan stayed at outer anchorage. Earlier, Bangladesh Navy ship 'Samudra Abhiyan' welcomed the Chinese navy ships soon after they reached Bangladesh waters in the Bay of Bengal.

It said Chinese Navy ships 'Qi Jiguang' (163.5 meters length) and 'Jinggang Shan' (210 meters length) are being led by Chinese Navy Fleet Commanders Rear Admiral Zhai Bauran and Rear Admiral Sun Zhongyi.

During their stay in Bangladesh, a delegation including Fleet Commander of Chinese Navy, Ship Captain, Ambassador of Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh and other officials paid a courtesy call on Commander of Chittagong Naval Region, Commander BN Fleet, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority and Commandant of Bangladesh Naval Academy.

Officers, sailors and trainees of the ships visited various historical and sightseeing places of Chattogram, Bangladesh Navy Isha Khan base, Bangladesh Naval Academy and BN Ashar Alo School established for children with special needs.

Besides, Bangladesh Navy officials and sailors also inspected the ship 'Qi Jiguang'.

The visit of the Chinese Navy ship is expected to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. The ships left Chattogram on October 15.