Terrorism common challenge: Chinese envoy

Chinese envoy Li Jun has appreciated Bangladesh's zero tolerance policy towards terrorism and said the recent tragedy in Kunming showed again that “terrorism is the common challenge to humankind”.

“We are looking forward to deepening our cooperation (with Bangladesh) in this regard (counterterrorism),” he said, adding that training was essential to developing capacity of counter-terrorism.

Li Jun said “peaceful dialogue” between the two major parties can solve Bangladesh’s political impasse but he was quick to add that Bangladeshis know “much better” than outsiders what to do.

“You (people) are the real players,” Chinese ambassador in Dhaka Li Jun said on Thursday while meeting diplomatic correspondents, his first after the controversial national elections on Jan 5.

“We (China) follow the principle of non-interference in internal affairs,” he said, replying to a question on why China congratulated the new government after the elections boycotted by the BNP-led alliance.

Soon after the elections the US and many western countries called for fresh elections as soon as possible with an agreed poll-time dispensation.

The envoy said they found the elections took place in line of Bangladesh’s constitution and that there are “rule of law” fundamental in international relations.

“We noticed that opposition boycotted the elections. But whether to hold another elections is what Bangladeshi people would have to decide,” he said.

“We are just well-wishers,” Li Jun said, adding: “You know the situation much better than the outsiders, no matter how long they have been here”.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) organised a meet the press with its President Mainul Alam in the chair.

The envoy touched on the current situation in China, where the new leadership initiated the third phase of “reform and opening up”.

He also detailed why Bangladesh “matters” for China in bilateral and regional aspects.