China ready to offer more support if Covid-19 situation deteriorates in Bangladesh: ambassador

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said China is ready to help Bangladesh with more medical supplies, including medical oxygen, if the situation gets worse as it is facing the second wave of Covid-19.

"China is ready to offer more, if needed," he said, recalling how Bangladesh and China helped each other in dealing with the first wave of Covid-19.

He said this pandemic is a global challenge, and past experience keeps reminding us that only through cooperation within the international community we can embrace victory.

"Bangladesh has done what it can to fight the pandemic, and it's my strong conviction that with the joint efforts of the people of Bangladesh and government, and the help of the international community, Bangladesh's V-Day over Covid-19 will be just around the corner," said the Chinese ambassador.

He made the remarks during a virtual programme organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) yesterday (Monday). DCAB President Pantho Rahman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event.

The ambassador said it is believed that safe and reliable Chinese vaccine will play a positive role in the formation of Bangladesh's anti-epidemic defence line, help people of Bangladesh to overcome the epidemic, and continue the friendship story between the two countries.

Some 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines gifted by the Chinese government to Bangladesh will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow.

At the same event yesterday, the Chinese ambassador also said that Bangladesh should not join "Quad", a US-led initiative, and Dhaka's relations with Beijing will "substantially get damaged" if it joins the initiative.

He termed "Quad" a military alliance aiming against China's resurgence and its relationship with neighbours.