China, Canada Pledge Stronger Trade Ties, Rohingya Support

The commitments were made during separate meetings between Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and the Foreign Ministers of China and Canada on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur today, according to official sources.

In talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, both sides expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in key sectors. Wang Yi conveyed China’s strong backing for reform initiatives under the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and promised collaboration in areas including medical tourism and water management.

He also reiterated China’s interest in expanding investments in Bangladesh’s textile, energy, and light engineering sectors, following momentum from the recent China Investment Conference in Dhaka.

Foreign Adviser Hossain thanked China for its political and development support and stressed the need for a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis. He also called for Beijing’s active role in regional and multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

Later, in a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral ties through trade diversification and greater economic resilience.

Anand reaffirmed Canada’s support for Bangladesh’s handling of the Rohingya crisis and commended its ongoing humanitarian efforts in hosting the displaced population from Myanmar.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Md Shameem Ahsan, Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Forhadul Islam, and other senior officials attended the meetings.

Foreign Adviser Hossain is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the ARF Ministerial Meeting, where the country is expected to highlight its commitment to regional peace, security, and sustainable development under the current interim administration.