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China’s ambassador to Dhaka, Li Ziming, said that the economic condition of Bangladesh is much better than that of Sri Lanka and there is no Chinese debt trap in Bangladesh.

He made this comment in response to a question at the Decab-Talk program organized at the National Press Club in the capital on Wednesday.

Economists are worried about the increase in the number of Chinese loans in addition to the increase in the cost of mega projects. Asking such questions.

When attention was drawn to this, Ambassador Li Ziming said, “Not only in Bangladesh, there is no trap of Chinese debt anywhere in the world.” Western commercial loans and loans from multinational financial institutions constitute the bulk of Sri Lanka’s external debt. Chinese debt accounts for less than 10 percent of that country’s (Sri Lanka) total foreign debt.

The same is the case with Bangladesh, only 6 percent of foreign debt is China’s debt. In that regard, the condition of Bangladesh is much better than Sri Lanka. Bangladesh’s total foreign debt is also very low.

He said that China’s perspective in relations with Bangladesh is promising and ready to work with Bangladesh for a bright future.

The ambassador said that China shares the same views as Bangladesh on the Ukraine issue and stressed the importance of dialogue and negotiation to resolve the issue peacefully.

Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Ambassador Lee said that China is working sincerely towards this goal. He said, “We are working silently. Of course, the impact will be seen.’

Recently, the country’s ambassador in Myanmar met with the authorities after Bangladesh sought China’s help in the case of violation of border rules on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, and conveyed that message.

Myanmar has said that they will repatriate the Rohingya and preparations are being made. But the problem now is the fighting between armed groups and the army in Rakhine State. So Bangladesh has to wait.

In response to the question whether China can help Bangladesh in any way to deal with the energy crisis, Li Ziming said, “China itself is an energy importing country and we ourselves are facing problems.” However, he added that China will not sit idly by when Bangladesh faces an emergency.

Asked about Bangladesh’s concern over dwindling foreign exchange reserves, he said, “This problem is caused by the Ukraine-Russia war and sanctions. But currency exchange between Bangladesh and China and Bangladesh’s exports to China or elsewhere could be ways to grow,” the diplomat said. .

In addition, Ambassador Li Ziming also said in a written speech given at Dicub Talk, an exchange program with diplomatic correspondents’ organization, that China wants to build large industrial enterprises in Bangladesh. China and Bangladesh are good neighbors of each other. Both countries are each other’s loyal friends and reliable partners.

Bangladesh and China have always understood and supported each other in their fundamental interests of sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

On the question of Taiwan, Li Ziming said, I hope the government and people of Bangladesh will continue to adhere to the ‘One China Policy’. Bangladesh will understand and support China’s legal and fair position. We are grateful to the government and people of Bangladesh for their longstanding commitment to the One China policy and Bangladesh’s opposition to Taiwan independence.

China and Bangladesh will work together to safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity. The ambassador also said that China is working with Bangladesh to return the Rohingyas.

At the same time, he expressed his condolences to the families of those who were injured and killed by Sitrang. And Chinese Ambassador Li Ziming accused the Western media of a global campaign of persecution of Uyghur Muslims.

In response to a question related to this on Dikab Talk, he said, there are allegations of terrorist activities against those who have been taken action in China’s Uyghur Muslim community.

Claiming that no action is taken against anyone in China for religious and ethnic reasons, he said that there are about 2.5 million Muslims living in China. A small number of them are accused of terrorism.

Pointing out that 5 Uighur Muslims attacked the railway station in Kunming, the hometown of the ambassador, he said that action has been taken against those who had committed such a heinous incident.

AKM Moin Uddin, General Secretary of the organization gave the welcome speech at the event moderated by DICAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus.