Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Shaikh Tanvir Baree Hamim has said that a stable, predictable and constructive relationship between China and the United States benefit Bangladesh adding that the nation consistently pursued friendship with all nations by safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests.

He made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “China–US Relationship” organised by the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) on Friday.

He described China as an important development and economic partner for Bangladesh while United States remains a vital trade partner. As a result, Bangladesh benefits when relations between the two major powers remain stable, predictable and constructive, he added.

Hoping that China and the United States would compete through innovation and development while cooperating to maintain peace and stability, Hamim said that success of strategic stability should not be measured not only by the absence of conflict between major powers but also by the opportunities it creates for ordinary people and future generations across the world.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China accompanied by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in 2005, Hamim claimed that the then Chinese leader encouraged Tarique to carry forward the legacy of his parents and uphold the flag of Bangladesh.

”He is now carrying the flag of Bangladesh and has been emphasising on ‘Bangladesh first’,” Hamim said.

Referring to the legacy of former President Ziaur Rahman, he said that self-reliance, national sovereignty and constructive engagement with the international community remain relevant in today’s global environment.

Addressing the aspirations of the youth, Hamim claimed that youths around the world are more concerned with quality education, innovation, employment, technological advancement, climate action and sustainable development rather than with geopolitical confrontation.

Among others, Director of the Center for South Asian Studies and Director of the Centre for China Studies (SIIS-DU) Liu Zongyi, Director of the Center for American Studies Wu Chunsi, Assistant Researchers at the Center for South Asian Studies Tan Chenyi, Zhang Xiaoying, and Wu Mengke also delivered their remark