No head of government carries a 'begging bowl', foreign minister says on PM’s China visit

Khalilur says such questions should not be asked as they cause great embarrassment

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman says that he has felt embarrassed by questions raised over financial assistance during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to China.

State leaders do not engage in international diplomacy with a "begging bowl", he said.

Responding to a query concerning direct project assistance from Beijing, the minister said: "You spoke of cash receipts. Brothers, please do not ask such questions; it embarrasses us greatly.

"He (the prime minister) went there to establish the direction, substance, stature, scope, and depth of the relationship between the two nations. No head of government ever sits down with another state leader holding sheets of paper and pencils, nor do they carry a begging bowl. Please maintain some self-respect."

Khalilur made the remarks on Saturday during a media briefing held at the foreign ministry concerning the prime minister's recent visits to Malaysia and China.

Following a landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government saw Tarique embark on his first foreign tour, arriving in Malaysia on Jun 21. The following day, he travelled to the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian.

After attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting there, he arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to begin a three-day state visit.

During the visit, Tarique held high-level bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Dhaka and Beijing signed 17 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) spanning various sectors.

A 15-point joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the visit outlined that both nations will further advance their "Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership" to build a "China-Bangladesh Community of Shared Future in the New Era", ensuring greater benefits for the citizens of both countries.

The joint statement highlighted Chinese assistance for Bangladesh's Teesta River comprehensive master plan and the initiation of a "Two Plus Two" strategic dialogue encompassing the foreign affairs and defence sectors of both nations.

Moreover, discussions touched upon expanding cooperation across trade, investment, industry, education, health, culture, and the defence.

It also covered establishing direct connectivity under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Beijing also pledged its cooperation in engaging Myanmar to facilitate a resolution to the Rohingya crisis.

Khalilur emphasised that China has elevated its bilateral ties with Bangladesh to its highest diplomatic tier reserved for partner nations.

"The nature of our partnership was previously a 'Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership'. We have now transitioned into a 'China-Bangladesh Community of Shared Future'.

“This represents China's highest level in terms of bilateral relations."

"Previously, the regular dialogue between our two countries took place at the foreign secretary level. It has now been elevated to the foreign minister or the policy level.

“This marks a major paradigm shift, an arrangement China shares with only a very small number of countries," he added.