Dhaka: China has asserted that its relations with Bangladesh and other South Asian countries are not aimed at any third party and will not be influenced by external forces. A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh emphasized that any attempts to interfere with these relations are destined to fail.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka responded to remarks made by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen through a statement on its verified Facebook page. The spokesperson criticized the US Ambassador for revisiting the same narrative, accusing him of pointing fingers at Bangladesh-China relations and distorting facts. The spokesperson claimed these remarks were made with ulterior motives.
The spokesperson further emphasized that China and Bangladesh respect and support each other, showcasing a positive example of friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between nations. China is presented as a reliable partner in South Asia, fostering peace, stability, development, and revitalization in the region, appreciated by the local populations.
The US Ambassador had expressed concerns about China's influence in South Asia, highlighting that the United States has various options to assist partner militaries in meeting their capability needs. During an interaction with journalists on January 21, Ambassador Christensen reiterated his concerns about Chinese influence in South Asia and committed to engaging with the Bangladesh government to discuss the risks of involvement with China in certain areas.