With Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury made the team leader of BNPs Foreign Affairs Committee, a question is being asked if importance of China is dwindling in the party’s foreign policy.

Relation with China began during the tenure of President Ziaur Rahman but it deteriorated while Khaleda Zia was in power due to the opening of Taipei’s economic and cultural office in Dhaka.

Then in 2018, BNP decided to maintain cordial relations with China without antagonizing India. However, the placement of Amir Khasru as head of the foreign affairs committee, may have resurfaced an episode in 2004.

When Amir Khasru was commerce minister, he gave permission for the Taiwan Consular Office. Later, he had to resign from the minister’s post.

Political specialists feel that Amir Khasru as head of the Foreign Affairs Committee may result in China distancing itself from the BNP.

Under the 2004 government, Bangladesh Investment Board, gave permission to the opening of Taiwan Consul with the possibility of importing manpower from Bangladesh.

The consulate was shut down after Awami League (AL) government came to power in 2009.

Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, who was the foreign secretary at that time, told Bangla Tribune, “The investment board had a hand in the opening of the Taiwan Consul and the chairman of the board was Mahmudur Rahman.”

In 2004, in an interview given to UNB, Rahman said, “This is an office aimed at facilitating commercial interests and has no links whatsoever with diplomacy.”

He also said, “This does not indicate that Bangladesh has moved away from the One China policy.”

When the consul opened, Bangladesh did not have any diplomatic relation with Taiwan and therefore, the role of the foreign ministry at that time was not clarified.

Enam Ahmed Chowdhury was BNP’s Foreign Affairs Committee chairman from 2015 till December last year and prior to December 30 election, joined the AL.

He says, “As far as I know, the opening of the Taiwan office was not done with fanfare.” 

It’s reported in The Daily Star on Mar 11 that Amir Khasru resigned for allegedly giving special privileges to a syndicate to raise the price of essentials.

Though there is rumour that his stepping down from the minister’s post was due to his link to the opening of the Taiwan consul office.

After Khasru resigned, air vice marshal Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, was appointed commerce minister and he told Bangla Tribune, “During BNP’s tenure, relation with China expanded; relation with China began during President Zia though Maulana Bhashani was the key player in forging ties with China.”

Reportedly, many BNP top leaders had expectations from China in the 11th national parliamentary elections.

Professor of the government and politics department of Jahangirnagar University, Shamsul Alam, says, “BNP must salvage the constructive relation it had with China; also, it should find out why China is remaining aloof regarding BNP.”

BNP is also trying to tilt towards India though the latter’s response is lukewarm.

However, Enam Ahmed Chowdhury said: “I never got inkling that China has changed its stance towards BNP.”

BNP and AL both believe in the ‘One China Policy’.

BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Nowshad Jamir says BNP’s perception towards China is key in forging stronger ties with the country.

BNP founder Ziaur Rahman believed in the ‘One China Principle’ which makes BNP important to China, added Jamir.