[Reuters]
Updated at 6:15 p.m. ET on 2021-05-12
Bangladesh expressed anger on Tuesday over “very unfortunate” and “presumptuous” comments made by China’s envoy a day earlier, when he warned Dhaka against participating in the United States-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific region.
On Monday, Ambassador Li Jiming had said that ties between Bangladesh and China could be “substantially damaged” if the South Asian country joined any initiative by the four-nation Quad.
Bangladesh is a sovereign state and will make its own decisions about the nation’s foreign policy, Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen shot back on Tuesday.
China has warned Bangladesh of substantial damage to relations if they join the Quad alliance
Dhaka:
China has warned Bangladesh against joining the US-led Quad alliance, saying that Dhaka s participation in the anti-Beijing club would result in substantial damage to bilateral relations.
The unusual warning from Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming came weeks after visiting Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe emphasied to Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid that Beijing and Dhaka should make joint efforts against powers from outside the region establishing a military alliance in South Asia and practising hegemonism . Obviously it will not be a good idea for Bangladesh to participate in this small club of four (Quad) because it will substantially damage our bilateral relationship, Ambassador Li said at a virtual meeting organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh on Monday.
Dhaka calls âvery unfortunateâ Chinese warning over QUAD
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DHAKA, May 11, 2021 (BSS) â Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today called âvery unfortunateâ the Chinese concern over Dhakaâs possible engagement with US-led four nation Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) as Beijing visibly warned any such move on Dhakaâs part would affect bilateral ties.
âWeâre an independent and sovereign State. We decide our foreign policy,â he told reporters, a day after Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming commented Beijing would not like Bangladesh to join the grouping.
Momen called the comment âvery unfortunateâ and âaggressiveâ adding that he never heard such aggressive comments from any Chinese diplomat before.