Bangladesh and China have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation after senior officials from both countries held wide-ranging talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the Philippine capital.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Foreign Adviser Humaiun Kobir, met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday to review progress in relations and explore new areas of cooperation.
According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions covered a broad range of issues aimed at advancing the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries and supporting efforts to build what both sides describe as a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future.
The meeting focused on several key priorities, including the long-standing issue of Rohingya repatriation, transport corridor development, Chinese investment, energy collaboration and wider economic cooperation.
The two delegations also exchanged views on strengthening practical partnerships in areas considered important for regional growth and connectivity.
On the margins of the regional gathering, the Bangladeshi delegation also held an informal meeting with Berris Ekinci, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye. The discussions centred on the steadily expanding relationship between Bangladesh and Türkiye, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Dr Khalilur Rahman arrived in Manila on Tuesday after concluding engagements in New York to participate in the series of ASEAN ministerial meetings.
The ASEAN Regional Forum has brought together foreign ministers and senior diplomats from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss regional security, economic cooperation and geopolitical developments.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting the Philippines from 19 to 23 July to attend the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
According to the US Department of State, Rubio is also scheduled to hold meetings with senior government representatives from Indo-Pacific countries.
Washington stated, "The visit reflects its commitment to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific while reinforcing security, economic prosperity and regional stability.”
The US also stated, "The visit would also highlight the outcomes of US-ASEAN cooperation and further strengthen its comprehensive partnership with the Philippines.”
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