China again dismisses US envoy's concerns over Chinese influence in Bangladesh
The latest response follows similar exchanges last month
China has once again rejected recent remarks by the United States ambassador to Bangladesh, intensifying an ongoing exchange between the two countries over Beijing's role in South Asia.
In an interview with Reuters published today (11 February), US Ambassador Brent T Christensen said Washington is concerned about the growing influence of China in the region and intends to work closely with the Bangladeshi government to highlight potential risks associated with certain engagements with Beijing.
"The US offers a range of options to help Bangladesh meet its military capability needs, including US systems and those from allied partners, to provide alternatives to Chinese systems," Christensen said.
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His comments came as China recently signed a defence agreement with Bangladesh to build a drone factory near the India border, worrying foreign diplomats, according to Reuters. Bangladesh is also in talks with Pakistan to buy JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed with China.
Responding the same day, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka issued a statement strongly refuting the ambassador's comments, accusing him of repeating "the same old tune" and misrepresenting China-Bangladesh relations.
"The Chinese embassy has made clear its solemn position on the relevant issue. The US ambassador to Bangladesh was singing the same old tune again, pointed fingers at China-Bangladesh relations and was mixing white and black. Such remarks are made with ulterior motives," reads the statement.
The embassy emphasised that China and Bangladesh maintain a relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation, describing it as an example of friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial development.
"China is a trustworthy partner of South Asian countries, and its friendly cooperation with South Asian countries has safeguarded peace and stability in the region, promoted development and revitalisation, and has been supported and welcomed by the peoples in the region.
"China-Bangladesh relations, as well as China's relations with South Asian countries, are not targeted at any third party, nor will they be swayed by any external force. Any attempt to interfere in or obstruct these relations is doomed to fail," adds the statement.
The latest response follows similar exchanges last month. On 21 January, Ambassador Christensen also voiced concerns about China's regional influence and noted that the US had multiple options to support partner militaries.
China reacted the following day, calling the remarks "irresponsible and utterly unfounded" and urging Washington to focus on actions conducive to Bangladesh's stability and regional cooperation.
China said the cooperation between Bangladesh and China is a matter between the two countries and their peoples, and brooks no interference or finger-pointing by the US side.
