BEIJING: China on Tuesday praised Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her decision to deny permission for a foreign military base, calling it a reflection of the Bangladeshi people's strong national spirit and commitment to independence.
Without naming any country, 76-year-old Hasina on Sunday said she had been offered a hassle-free re-election in the January 7 elections if she allowed a foreign country to build an airbase inside Bangladeshi territory.
Hasina, who has ruled the strategically located South Asian nation since 2009, won a fifth term overall in January in a one-sided election that was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
"If I had given permission to a particular country to build an airbase in Bangladesh, I would not have had any problem," The Daily Star Bangladesh newspaper quoted Hasina as saying.
Responding to a question on Hasina's remarks at a media briefing here, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said, "China has taken note of Prime Minister Hasina's speech, which called for the Bangladeshi people to be independent and free from external pressure." Reflects the national spirit of not being afraid.,
Although the Bangladesh Prime Minister did not name the country that had made her the offer, she stressed that "the offer came from a white man".
Mao said that some countries seek their own self-interests, openly meddle in other countries' elections, ruthlessly interfere in other countries' internal affairs and undermine regional security and stability, and use their hegemonic bullying tactics. fully expose the nature of.
The spokesperson said China firmly supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Mao said Beijing strongly supports Dhaka in pursuing an independent foreign policy while resisting external interference and "jointly" maintaining regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
China, which has invested more than US$25 billion in various projects in Bangladesh after Pakistan in the South Asian region, has signed a bilateral agreement with Bangladesh by supplying a number of military equipment including battle tanks, naval frigates, missile boats besides fighter aircraft. Defense relations have also been strengthened., much to India's dismay.
Earlier, China had also provided two submarines to Bangladesh Navy.
According to Bangladesh media reports, last year Prime Minister Hasina had inaugurated a US$1.21 billion submarine base built by China in Cox's Bazar on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, which will provide secure jetty facilities to submarines and warships.
Without naming any country, 76-year-old Hasina on Sunday said she had been offered a hassle-free re-election in the January 7 elections if she allowed a foreign country to build an airbase inside Bangladeshi territory.
Hasina, who has ruled the strategically located South Asian nation since 2009, won a fifth term overall in January in a one-sided election that was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
"If I had given permission to a particular country to build an airbase in Bangladesh, I would not have had any problem," The Daily Star Bangladesh newspaper quoted Hasina as saying.
Responding to a question on Hasina's remarks at a media briefing here, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said, "China has taken note of Prime Minister Hasina's speech, which called for the Bangladeshi people to be independent and free from external pressure." Reflects the national spirit of not being afraid.,
Although the Bangladesh Prime Minister did not name the country that had made her the offer, she stressed that "the offer came from a white man".
Mao said that some countries seek their own self-interests, openly meddle in other countries' elections, ruthlessly interfere in other countries' internal affairs and undermine regional security and stability, and use their hegemonic bullying tactics. fully expose the nature of.
The spokesperson said China firmly supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Mao said Beijing strongly supports Dhaka in pursuing an independent foreign policy while resisting external interference and "jointly" maintaining regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
China, which has invested more than US$25 billion in various projects in Bangladesh after Pakistan in the South Asian region, has signed a bilateral agreement with Bangladesh by supplying a number of military equipment including battle tanks, naval frigates, missile boats besides fighter aircraft. Defense relations have also been strengthened., much to India's dismay.
Earlier, China had also provided two submarines to Bangladesh Navy.
According to Bangladesh media reports, last year Prime Minister Hasina had inaugurated a US$1.21 billion submarine base built by China in Cox's Bazar on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, which will provide secure jetty facilities to submarines and warships.
