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'Big fan of India...': China's top diplomat in Bangladesh says




• China's top diplomat in Bangladesh Li Jiming said that his country has no 'strategic rivalry' with India

A top Chinese diplomat has said he is "a big fan of India", and that the two countries can work together to resolve any economic, geopolitical and other issues in the region and beyond.

The diplomat's remarks came on a day when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told outgoing Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong in New Delhi that peace and tranquility in the border areas is essential for normal relations between India and China.

After that, Li Jiming, China's top diplomat in Bangladesh, said that his country has no "strategic rivalry" with India and does not want to see a "heavily armed" Bay of Bengal.

Li also said that India is not a strategic rival of China.

"We never see India as a strategic rival or a strategic rival of China," Ambassador Li told diplomatic reporters in Dhaka.

"Personally, I am a big fan of India. We can work together to resolve economic and geopolitical issues," he said.

In an apparent reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Li said Beijing expected all stakeholders in South Asia to play a positive role and also wanted them to do "the way some countries (currently) are doing in Europe". "Don't work.

India and China are locked in a prolonged standoff along the border in eastern Ladakh for more than 29 months. Bilateral relations came under severe strain after the deadly skirmish at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

The envoy said China's original intention was to resolve all territorial disputes in an "Asian way" instead of heeding Western suggestions.

"We (China) believe, we should solve our regional problems in an Asian way, not by standard practice in Europe or South America." The envoy said Beijing is keen to work closely with Bangladesh to ensure development, peace and stability in the region.

He said that as an economic superpower of 18.5 percent of the world economy, China has always been committed to joint development with neighboring countries including Bangladesh.

On the Rohingya crisis, Li said that China is making efforts to bring the Rohingyas back to their homeland Myanmar.

The envoy also spoke on issues of debt management, global development initiatives and trade and investment.

"There is no Chinese debt trap in Bangladesh. There is no Chinese debt trap globally," the ambassador said. A top Chinese diplomat has said he is "a big fan of India", and that the two countries can work together to resolve any economic, geopolitical and other issues in the region and beyond.

The diplomat's remarks came on a day when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told outgoing Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong in New Delhi that peace and tranquility in the border areas is essential for normal relations between India and China.

After that, Li Jiming, China's top diplomat in Bangladesh, said that his country has no "strategic rivalry" with India and does not want to see a "heavily armed" Bay of Bengal.

Li also said that India is not a strategic rival of China.

"We never see India as a strategic rival or a strategic rival of China," Ambassador Li told diplomatic reporters in Dhaka.

"Personally, I am a big fan of India. We can work together to resolve economic and geopolitical issues," he said.

In an apparent reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Li said Beijing expected all stakeholders in South Asia to play a positive role and also wanted them to do "the way some countries (currently) are doing in Europe". "Don't work.

India and China are locked in a prolonged standoff along the border in eastern Ladakh for more than 29 months. Bilateral relations came under severe strain after the deadly skirmish at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

The envoy said China's original intention was to resolve all territorial disputes in an "Asian way" instead of heeding Western suggestions.

"We (China) believe, we should solve our regional problems in an Asian way, not by standard practice in Europe or South America." The envoy said Beijing is keen to work closely with Bangladesh to ensure development, peace and stability in the region.

He said that as an economic superpower of 18.5 percent of the world economy, China has always been committed to joint development with neighboring countries including Bangladesh.

On the Rohingya crisis, Li said that China is making efforts to bring the Rohingyas back to their homeland Myanmar.

The envoy also spoke on issues of debt management, global development initiatives and trade and investment.

"There is no Chinese debt trap in Bangladesh. There is no Chinese debt trap globally," the ambassador said.

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