India and China can work together, says top Chinese official

Dhaka: Chinese diplomat in Bangladesh Li Jiming said that China does not have a "strategic rivalry" with India and does not want to see a "heavily armed" Bay of Bengal. He added that India and China can closely work together to resolve any economic and geopolitical issues in the region.

"We never view India as a strategic rival or strategic competitor of China. Personally, I'm a big fan of India," he said while speaking with diplomatic correspondents based in Dhaka.

Speaking about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he said Beijing expected all stakeholders in South Asia to play a positive role. He added that China wanted them not to act the way some countries are doing in Europe.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today spoke with outgoing Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong and said that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential for normal ties between India and China. Both nations have been on a standoff in eastern Ladakh for the past 29 months. The clash in Galwan Valley put further strain on the relationship.

He stressed that Beijing wants to solve regional disputes in an "Asian way" instead of using western suggestions. "China believes we should solve our regional problems in an Asian way, not by (following) standard practice in Europe or South America." Jiming added that China is keen to work closely with Bangladesh as well to ensure development, peace, and stability in the region.

Speaking about the development in the continent, he said China is an economic powerhouse accounting for 18.5% of the world's economy. "China was always committed to joint development with neighbouring countries including Bangladesh. There is no Chinese debt trap in Bangladesh. There is no Chinese debt trap globally."

He also spoke of the Rohingya crisis and said China is putting in efforts for early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar.