Row over trade mission

Basically there are two points we would like to make on the issue: first, Bangladesh should have thought it through, or more precisely, gauged the probable reaction of China before letting the trade mission open with a controversial sign-board. Secondly, even China's known sensitivity over the issue has been exceeded in this case in what appears to us to be a reaction overkill.

Let's address the second point first, namely that of overreaction by China. There has been a long tradition of our relationship with Beijing. Even though in our Liberation War, China was not on our side, yet following the birth of Bangladesh, we decided to leave that memory behind still characteristically holding the country in high esteem for its commitments to Third World causes. Excellent ties came to be forged with Beijing and China's involvement in our infrastructural sector has been a matter of immense satisfaction to Bangladesh.

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Given such a long track-record of cooperative bilateral relations, the reactions vented out by the Chinese ambassador while explaining his country's position, especially the language he used, left us shocked.

The essential thing to realise is: One-China policy is far too fundamental a matter to be confused with the opening of a Taiwanese trade office. Secondly, private sector is not the same thing as the state sector and vice versa.

Having said that, we have to add that some unexpected naivete has been shown by Bangladesh on this sensitive issue for China. We find it strange and baffling that the BOI chief did not deem it fit to consult the foreign ministry before allowing the Taiwanese to open their trade office. Even, if we accept, for the argument's sake, that he had the mandate to do so, his failure to comprehend that it could stir the hornet's nest reflects on his insensitivity about this particular international issue.