Chinese FM did not call for BNP-AL deal for development, says govt

The foreign minister has rubbished the BNP’s claim that his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi spoke about political understanding between the two major parties during his meeting with Khaleda Zia.

“We have been informed at the government level on behalf of the minister that he did not make such remark,” Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said at a press briefing on Monday when his attention was drawn.

He was briefing journalists after the departure of the minister, ending the three-day maiden visit to Bangladesh.

Wang met the BNP chairperson among others last night at her residence.

After the meeting, BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told journalists quoting the minister that China believed an understanding between the ruling Awami League and BNP was a must for a sustained economic development and stability.

The foreign minister said “he was our guest and he can meet any citizen in Bangladesh”.

“But he spoke about peaceful solution to any problem through dialogue and by peaceful he meant non-violent way,” Ali said.