Chinese ambassador in Dhaka Li Jun believes a “peaceful dialogue” between the two major parties can end Bangladesh’s political impasse, but says Bangladeshis know “much better” than outsiders what to do.
Published : 06 Mar 2014, 08:26 PM
“You (people) are the real players,” 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 several Western countries called for fresh elections, as soon as possible, with an agreed poll-time administration.
The envoy said they had found the elections had been held in accordance with Bangladesh’s constitution and that the “rule of law” was fundamental to 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 the meet-the-press session 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” to China in bilateral and regional matters.