A Bangladeshi-Chinese love affair

It seems the people of Bangladesh no longer think of the negative role China played for the country in its War of Independence in 1971, when China supported Pakistan. Instead, they have accepted China as a great friend.

Imtiaz Ahmed is an analyst of international relations and a professor of Dhaka University. He says China's policy of not mixing politics with trade has helped the situation. He says today, people have forgotten about China's role in the 70s. "Now over the years, China has emerged as the largest trading partner of Bangladesh, it has surpassed even India for quite some years. And is heavily engaged in developing infrastructure, particularly bridges and highways. So I think there has been a radical transformation when it comes to Bangladesh and China's relationship in the last 30 to 35 years."

Tousia Islam is a student at Dhaka University and she is a great fan of China. She thinks China has a lot to offer Bangladeshi people. She says, "Chinese food is so popular here. The most popular thing of China I think is their electronics – they're very cheap and especially like mobile phones or mp3 players so popular in Bangladesh. I personally like one thing of China, that is their social culture and their family bonding nature. Our country should have a more friendly relation with China because economically they are so developed, they are one of the biggest countries in the world and they are so friendly to all the neighboring countries."

China's image "very positive"

The Chinese have not only impressed the people of Bangladesh with their food and culture, but also with their advancements in science and technology. Young Bangladeshis want to learn from the Middle Kingdom and gain the same technical know-how. Journalist Arif Mahmud says these are the reasons China is welcome: "China has developed in science and technology in the world and especially in the Asia-Pacific region."

China and Bangladesh have come a long way since the 1970s. Now there is a Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bangladesh China Friendship Society promotes cultural exchange.

Shahjahan Mirdha is the head of both organizations. He praises the two countries' historic ties and says China has always been important for Bangladesh, which is why "all the prime ministers and presidents of Bangladesh paid official visits to China – even Bangladesh's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Now 70 percent of our imports come from China. Not only that, but Chinese martial arts and dragon dances are now popular in Bangladesh as well."

The Bangladesh government seems keen to avoid tensions with China. Last year, a photo exhibition on Tibet in Dhaka was closed by the authorities after complaints by the Chinese embassy.

Author: Harun Ur Rashid Swapan (Dhaka) / sb
Editor: Thomas Baerthlein