The 70th Anniversary of the Founding of The People’s Republic of China

Contents

Page No. Editor’s Note i The belt and road – The beacon for a new era 1 Abul Hasan Chowdhury Strategic partnership between Dhaka and Beijing gains momentum 3 Muhammad Zamir The Emergence of a Matured Power: China and International Order 5 Dr. Lailufar Yasmin Concept of One Belt One Grid Initiative (BGI) Emerged from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) 7 Engr. Mohammad Hossain Brooks No Further Delay 9 Dr. M Enamul Huq Cooperation on the Joint Development of the Belt and Road Opportunities for Bangladesh 10 Dr. Liu Jinqian Challenge and opportunity of Bangladesh-China FTA 13 M S Siddiqui China-Bangladesh Cultural Exchange: A “Belt and Road” Success Story 15 Kishore Biswas Belt and Road Initiative can help ease regional tension 17 Prof. Sarwar Md. Saifullah Khaled China's Defense Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP 18 10 Chinese officers promoted to rank of general Xinhua 19 evsjv‡`k-Pxb m¤úK© 20 †gvkvwn` Avn‡g` AvšÍR©vwZK ivRbxwZi KvjZvgvgx- Pxb I `w¶Y Gwkqv 22 Bgivb †PŠayix wewmAvBGg-BwmÕi gva¨‡g m¤¢vebvi `yqvi D‡b¥vPb 24 i椧b DwÏb Avn‡g` we`y¨r weZi‡Yi Dbœq‡b Px‡bi m‡½ FY Pyw³ 25 wiqvRyj evkvi Editor’s Note

It has been 70 years since Mao Zedong stood in the Tiananmen Square in Bei - jing to declare the beginning of the People's Republic of China. To the outside world, China's transformation from an agrarian society into one of the World's most powerful economies is nothing short of miraculous. China re-established itself as an almost unified country under a strong leadership 70 years ago. Chi - nese society has been moving forward since then, and the country launched reformations and opened up its borders about 40 years ago. This has been one of the most impressive developments in the world. We are astonished to see how much China has contributed to global improvement. China’s economy has accelerated over the past seven decades, with gross domestic product rising at an average annual rate of 8.1 percent according to a report from the National Bureau of Statistics. China’s GDP hit 90.03 trillion Yuan (about 13.14 trillion US Dollar) in 2018, accounting for 16 percent of the world's total. This posed a sharp contrast to the country's economy in 1952 when its GDP was only 67.9 billion yuan. Gross National Income per person reached 9732 US dollars in 2018, higher than the level seen in middle-income countries. At present, the Chinese economy is contributing about 30% to the world's economic growth. Amidst eco - nomic globalization, China’s economic stability will help reduce risks for the world economy whenever eco - nomic problems such as the 1997 Asian Financial crisis and the 2008 global financial crisis emerge. The next 70 years of China's development are going to be quite dramatic for the world. China is now con - nected with every corner of the world. We see the next 70 years as a time when China will continue to develop and change, but that change will have an ever-stronger impact on the world as a whole. The world will obviously pay close attention to Chinese projects and initiatives to adjust its development for a peaceful and harmonious future. We think the most immediate task for China is to go forward with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on full steam. At present, the BRI is the most important development initiative in the world. Countries will have to figure out how to connect themselves to the BRI. We believe this is an important opportunity for the world as a whole. We hope China's economy and society will continue to develop steadily and sustainably and more Chinese people will be able to enjoy a better life and interact with different cultures, thus contributing more to the development of humankind.

Nasim Mahmmud Chief Editor The Belt and Road Bangladesh, Dhaka.

i The belt and road – The beacon for a new era Abul Hasan Chowdhury Within the matrix of an evolv - ment programmes. ing global order the Belt and President Xi visited Bangladesh in 2016. He not only of - Road Initiative (BRI) project fered US $ 40 billion in investment but wished to acceler - launched in 2013 by President ate the work on BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India and Xi Jinping is in effect the mod - Myanmar) economic corridor. ern day reincarnation of the Silk Road. Travels, Trade and During the recent visit of our Honourable Prime Minister Commerce and whiff of ro - in July not only was grave Rohigya issue discussed, a num - manticism brought by many ber of investment and trade related deals were signed. We writers of the past and particu - note with a degree of optimism China’s shift in favour of larly Marco Polo is simply hallucinatory. Culled from that Bangladesh on the Rohingya issues. Honourable Prime vintage history the new initiative is refreshingly a mega Minister succeeded in conveying that a grand project such dream of cooperation and progress. as BRI cannot be imagined with the shrill cries of distress emanating at the doorsteps of BRI. In its sweep the BRI brings in its fold more than 65 coun - tries. While the Marshall plan was limited to Western Eu - China has emerged as Bangladesh’s number one trading rope as it then was the One Belt One Road (OBOR) or partner. Our manufacturing sector, particularly RMG is BRI as it now stands is on a cosmic scale. expanding its niche in China as indeed our business houses are increasing their volume of purchase from As a citizen of Bangladesh it is of utmost satisfaction to China. It makes commercial sense to have transport con - find that our Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina nectivity. In the region India is also the biggest trading is an ardent advocate of the BRI scheme. Clearly reflecting partner of China. the cherished vision of her father, the greatest Bengali of all times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mu - The above scenario testifies to advancing trade through jibur Rahman. As Leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina BCIM corridor. We have to recognize that ultimately con - travelled to China in 1993 and was received with great sumers and producers, exporters and importers will im - warmth and honour by the youngest member of the Polit - mensely benefit from connectivity. Bangladesh also a buro at that time. Mr. Hu Jin Tao was soon to be President founding member of BIMSTEC remains committed to of China. Possibly in fact most definitely this meeting was enhancing tourism, trade, transport and commerce. As a organized keeping an eye on the crystal ball of both gateway between Asia and South ASIA we have a cardinal Bangladesh and China. interest in the Xi Jinping inspired BRI project. Awami League returned to power in 1996 long 21 years Bangladesh has broken out of the aid bondage and is an after the gruesome killing of Bangabandhu and most attractive destination for investment. Such a possibility members of his immediate family except the two daugh - has now been created by offering dedicated special eco - ters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana both of whom nomic zones to Chinese companies. This would not only were in Europe at that time. After being sworn in as Prime generate employment but create the scope for transferring Minister Sheikh Hasina chose to first go for religious visit. some of China’s sunset industries. Not to mention Having performed Umrah at Mecca Sharif and ziarat at thereby leading also to transfer of technology. Madina Munawara, It is to be noted the first official visit BRI primarily Chinese initiative should and could be in - of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister was to China. Since strumental in reshaping the architecture of the global then the bilateral relations have been multifaceted and order. Mankind is living under the threat of climate China has participated in many infrastructural develop - change, environmental degradation, shadow of nuclear

1 annihilation as Tagore famously remarked “organized self - India it offers unique scope to collaborate on the blue ishness of nations as opposed to the higher ideals of hu - economy. manity.” Bangladesh can also provide ocean access to land locked The collaborative venture envisions a peaceful environ - countries like Nepal and Bhutan as well as Chinas West - ment without which the BRI objectives cannot be sus - ern provinces. Economist intelligence unit has projected tained. The economic scale is the largest ever under taken Bangladesh as the fastest growing economy. These dimen - by any nation. It is expected to range from US $ 1 Trillion sions add value to Bangladesh as a significant player in to US $ 8 Trillion. In its ideal form BRI hopes to have a the BRI scheme. coordinated policy approach to facilitate trade, usher in BRI is above all a human project. It cannot merely be seen connectivity, create financial integration and enhance peo - as an economic or transport accelerator. The scale and di - ple to people contact. versity is indeed so enormous that if taken to its lofty and It is for the first time that the Asian Infrastructure Invest - idealistic conclusion it should be a world reshaping phe - ment Bank (AIIB) has not been overwhelmed by the Bre - nomenon. The seven hundred year Muslim rule in Spain ton Woods institutions. In fact it has taken an and North Africa lead to the European Enlightenment independent financial approach. which in turn created the industrial revolution. Likewise BRI is also destined to re invent the dynamics of a new Bangladesh is by no means a “small” nation. Geography world order. To achieve that each component part will alone does not determine that. A country of nearly 168 have work in a spirit of informed and egalitarian spirit. million has a lot to offer to the world and to its neigh - bours. Today it is on a fast growth track and surpassed many of its neighbours on vital social indicators. Having Abul Hasan Chowdhury is former State Minister for Foreign resolved the maritime boundary issues with Myanmar and Affairs in Bangladesh.

Beijing int'l book fair highlights 70th anniversary of PRC

2 Strategic partnership between Dhaka and Beijing gains momentum Muhammad Zamir

The ties between Bangla- bility and fundamental differences of opinion about res - desh and China have olution of these factors. She also reiterated Bangladesh’s evolved into a deeper rela - position that greater effort needs to be addressed towards tionship over the last few the reshaping of companies and communities in different years. This dynamics has in - countries that are taking place at an unprecedented speed tensified in its diversity and scale- thanks to digitalization. through greater connectivity within the sub-regional and After her inter-active engagement at the WEF, Prime Minister regional paradigms. This has proceeded to Beijing where she had meetings with the Chi - opened doors within this nese President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and also matrix. It has also generated with Chinese Communist Party leadership. endeavors towards coopera - On 4 July, several important economic Instruments were tion in diverse areas. signed between representatives from the two countries re - This process has now been taken forward with Prime Min - lated to Expansion and Strengthening of the Power System ister Sheikh Hasina’s latest visit to Beijing in the first week and the Power Grid Network in Bangladesh and the Estab - of July. It has not only demonstrated growing Chinese un - lishment of an Investment Cooperation Working Group. derstanding of seemingly intractable issues being faced by The External Resources Division of Bangladesh also signed Bangladesh but has also demonstrated Chinese willing - two Concessional Loan Agreements with the Export-Im - ness as a partner to assist Bangladesh in overcoming chal - port Bank of China. MOUs were also signed with regard lenges. to provision of Hydrological Information related to flow of the Yarluzangbu/Brahmaputra River and also a Cultural China’s presence in the global arena has transformed con - and Tourism Exchange Programme between the two coun - notations related to the geo-strategic paradigm in South- tries. There was also a Letter of Exchange related to the Ro - east Asia, South Asia, Middle-east, Europe and Africa. It hingya Refugees Rice Aid with the China International is this factor that has persuaded Bangladesh to underline Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). to the Chinese government the growing importance of Bangladesh within the sub-regional and regional context, Comprehensive and in-depth discussion also took place and the need to reinforce the bilateral relationship. on economic prospects of Chinese investment in Sheikh Hasina started her visit through her participation Bangladesh and reduction in the dynamics of fast growing in the “Summer Davos” meeting of the World Economic trade imbalance between the two countries. FBCCI played Forum (WEF) held in Dulian, China from 1 to 3 July. an important role in this regard. Hasina also sought Chi - Here she shared her views on different current issues that nese assistance for implementing the Delta Plan 2100, set - have grabbed the attention of the world’s socio-economic ting up of a Climate Adaptation Center and in the community and the civil society. She met many leaders mobilizing of resources for implementation of the Teesta from different sectors and had discussions on how to co - River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Proj - operate more meaningfully through mutual trust in over - ect. She also told the Chinese Prime Minister that China coming existing difficulties emerging in the horizon. needs to undertake more investment in Bangladesh and These included facets related to environmental challenges, develop industries with the “buy-back guarantee” principle regional competition, economic disparities and techno - in operation. Such investment, she pointed out, could be logical adaptations. Their attention was also drawn to the undertaken within the Special Economic Zones network fact that these were introducing misunderstanding, insta - that was being created within several parts of Bangladesh.

3 During discussion at different levels, Prime Minister undertaken different efforts for the repatriation of the Ro - Hasina also drew the attention of the Chinese leadership hingyas but the displaced people, quite justifiably were to the need for restoring stability in the south-eastern areas willing to return only if they had the guarantee of safety, of Bangladesh presently under severe pressure due to the dignity and citizenship. She then urged China and its lead - presence of more than one million Rohingyas who had ership to play a constructive role and persuading Myan - sought sanctuary there from the Rakhine State in Myan - mar in creating such a congenial environment in the mar while fleeing arson, rape and murder in their villages. Rakhine State. Bangladesh, a believer in human rights had provided It would be pertinent to point out here that the European them hospitality as part of human rights welfare. However Union, Canada, the USA have also strongly sought Chi - the objectionable activities of the Myanmar law enforce - nese and Russian support in this regard. ment agencies and sections of the extreme Buddhist com - munity had not been held as accountable by the Myanmar It appears that the Chinese leadership has assured Prime government. Minister Hasina that they would “try to” persuade Myan - mar to resolve the Rohingya crisis through “bilateral dis - This unfortunate trend was now having an osmotic effect cussions”. The Chinese governing CPC leadership and creating anger and instability. Delay in the repatria - including Song Tao, the CPC Minister for International tion of these Rohingya citizens was affecting the matrix of Affairs has also stated that “We will contact with the development in that sub-region and also playing havoc Myanmar political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, with its environment. It was also creating national security to solve the Rohingya problem amicably.” President Xi risks and encouraging trafficking of drugs and people. has also indicated to Sheikh Hasina on 5 July before her This was worsening the continuing crisis. It was also un - departure for Dhaka that there should be a quick solution derlined that such a scenario could affect the potential of to the Rakhine crisis. connectivity that had led to China and other countries seeking to take advantage of investment potential in that One can only hope that the coming month before the region of Myanmar being a gateway to the Bay of Bengal. next session of the UNGA will witness a movement for - She also drew the attention of the Chinese leadership and ward in the right direction. reiterated to them that “the only solution to this crisis re - mained in the return of the Rohingyas to their home - Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst spe - land”. In this context she drew their attention to cialized in foreign affairs, right to information and good gover - Bangladesh having engaged in bilateral arrangements and nance.

Xi’s Moments

4 The Emergence of a Matured Power: China and International Order Dr. Lailufar Yasmin

China’s emergence in the 21st Century is seen as a game- changer. With President Xi Jin - ping deciding the future of a new China where the waiting period set by Deng Xioping was over, China started to venture beyond its traditional sphere of influence—the East Asia—and onward to the rest of the world. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), formerly launched in 2013 managed to create Europe and Asia as an integrated whole—as Bruno Maçães terms it—Eurasia. The old geopo - litical order where the world used to be West-centric is being replaced by Asia-centric understanding of interna - tional politics. Rightfully, scholars have not only envisaged the dawn of Eurasia but also convincingly terms this cen - tury as Asian Century. Critics however are not so con - vinced regarding China’s role in it. Some have argued that China’s rapid rise may not be sustainable while others have predicted of a conflictual future as China’s rise may be contended by the United States (US) militarily. How - ever, I argue here why China rather is behaving in a ma - tured manner than any other powers in the history of humankind. In international relations, polarity was pax Britannica in 19th Century and pax Americana in 20th Century. One needs to understand the nature of the British and Amer - ican dominations. While British Raj was dominating the world by virtue of its naval power and colonies, America not only advanced in terms of developing overwhelming military power, but this was backed up by its advance in science and technology. Creating security institutions was also a major part of establishing itself as a superpower with overwhelming dominance in all parts of the world. China, on the other hand, at least for the time being, has pursued a different trajectory to rise. China is using its economic might to connect itself with every nook and cranny of the world and thereby plans to sow undeniable Chinese foot - opment of a country cannot be ensured and sustained if steps. China emerges as an ‘infrastructure superpower’ of its neighbors remain underdeveloped. China has ensured the world. It is tied with the idea of sustainable co-devel - so that its neighbors and gradually other countries also opment launched by the United Nations (UN)—the devel - develop with it. China has already been recognized as a

5 responsible power in the community of states by being a did, China rather embraced the liberal order and infused solid part and partner of the UN Peacekeeping Opera - it with Chinese characteristics of Yin-Yang—unity in diver - tions (UNPKOs) and in terms of global responsibility shar - sity. Instead of asking states to merge into a western singu - ing in climate change issue. China’s rise is not only backed larity, it has rather argued that national characteristics are by economic might—but by building itself as a hub of sci - significant markers which must not be affected. Thus, a ence and technology. In a recent report by The Economist matured power like China has learned from the historical it was found that China was overtaking other countries mistakes of that of Soviet Union and rather provides a lee - in terms of being a key driver of the direction of scientific way for others to grow. While China’s rise and increasing and technological progress where from 2000 to 2016, connectivity reaching to Europe has concerned the US and about 23% of journal articles on scientific issue had Chi - Germany, among others, one needs to understand the ap - nese share of addresses or names on publications. peal of China to lesser powers—harmony in diversity. It gives an assurance for all of a peaceful and harmonious in - China’s matured handling of its power, most significantly, ternational order which, unlike the West-centric interna - lies in its cogent political decision of not to challenge the tional order, would not be rife with conflicts but of international liberal order but to rectify the anomalies of peaceful coexistence. this. Liberal order is the product of international social contract among the victorious parties of the Second World War. Although Soviet Union veered off and Cold War Dr. Lailufar Yasmin is Professor at the Department of Inter - with the United States shook the order, the demise of the national Relations, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and a for - Soviet Union led to the solidification of the liberal order mer Fellow of the Institute of World Economics and Politics in a manner so far unseen. Instead of contesting and of - (IWEP) at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Bei - fering an alternative international order like Soviet Union jing, China.

A revolutionary memorial site in the Fragrant Hills opened to the public on 13 September, 2019 in the western suburbs of Beijing. The site includes a museum and former headquarters for the CPC. President Xi Jinping visited the site on 12 September, 2019 and called on the whole Party and nation to strive for realizing the two centenary goals and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

6 Concept of One Belt One Grid Initiative (BGI) Emerged from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Engr. Mohammad Hossain

The Belt and Road Initiative eration Organization (GEIDCO) in 2016 to promote (BRI) has become a popular ini - clean and green sustainable energy development world - tiative now a days which is not wide. GEIDCO adopted the Asian Super grid idea as its merely a mega project but a col - own, promoting “Global Energy Interconnection” as the lection of innumerable projects global version of the Asia Super grid. The International where at least 67 countries are Solar Alliance (ISA) is an alliance of more than 122 coun - involved covering 65% of the tries initiated by India, most of them being sunshine coun - world’s population. Though ini - tries, which lie either completely or partly between the tiated by China but has become Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The pri - a global concept that has potential to be overlapping , mary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient ex - complementary and mutually reinforcing with other re - ploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil gional, sub-regional and international cooperation en - fuels. deavors. Many countries in the region and beyond have their own connectivity ideas, concepts and initiatives which in many ways, wholly or partially coincide with BRI. One of the innovative ideas emerged from the BRI is One Belt One Grid initiative (BGI). Under this initiative there could be a common electricity grid across Asia and Africa which could be a revolutionary innovation in the era of cross border electricity trade across the globe, par - ticularly within Asia and Africa. Since the end of the Cold War, various proposals have emerged for cross border electricity trade across Asia. There were number of initiatives from Russia, China, Korea, Japan and even lately from Mongolia. The concept of the Asian Super Grid was announced in 2012 by Soft - Because of cross border energy infrastructure, cooperation bank CEO Son Masayoshi, a project of his Japan Renew - from international organizations and financial institutions able Energy Foundation (renamed as Renewable is important. APEC, UN-ESCAP, International Renew - able Energy Agency (IRENA), the EC and ADB have Energy Institute ), in the post Fukushima shift in Japan to - come forward to open dialogue. ward renewable energy. Mongolia’s Gobi Desert would be Asia has the necessary conditions for regional energy co - the site of a giant wind farm that would feed a regional grid operation as each country is complementary to the others. linking Mongolia with high voltage direct current (HVDC) The different levels of development are a basis for com - transmission lines to Japan, South Korea, China and Rus - plementarities. There are visible fuel diversities as well as sia. It would be a smart grid using IT to manage fluctuating seasonal diversity. As a result one country can comple - power supply with fluctuating demand, promoting free ment and supplement the other countries. While one is trade in clean electricity. Russia’s Irkutsk would supply hy - surplus to the demand, other is deficit due to seasonal di - dropower from the North. KEPCO had presented its vi - versity. Similarly while one has optimum generation po - sion of a regional Super grid in 2014. tential, another has lean period, particularly due to hydro, China formed an international non-profit organization solar, wind and other variable renewable generation po - Global Energy Interconnection Development and Coop - tentials.

7 has a big difference of say 5-8 hours. So, out of 24 hours we can get solar power for around 18 hours. Through this way if we can bring the mega solar hubs under one grid like Sahara desert, Gobi desert, Indian solar states it could serve almost the whole power demand of this region. This is the concept of Belt and Grid Initiative (BGI). BGI can go hand in hand with BRI. The success of BGI depends on the success of BRI. The Asian Super Grid is a mul - Due to global concern and campaign on climate change tilateral energy project promoted by Rus - renewable energy has been replacing the conventional en - sia, South Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and China may be the ergy, particularly solar power has got enormous potential. first step towards BGI. It is currently under serious con - There is a popular quote on solar power “Nobody can put sultations, supported by UNESCAP and ADB. China has embargo on the sun; neither can stop its delivery to us.” promoted the BRI as a mechanism which could incorpo - which is very important in the present day world. How - ever, in every case there are merits and demerits, so the rate the Asian Super Grid. Support of other Asian coun - case for solar. It can only deliver as long as sun lights, but tries can make this effort a success. we need power round the clock. Though now a days there exists the storage facilities but not a cost effective solution. Engr. Mohammad Hossain is Director General, Power Cell, However, we can overcome this limitation by connecting Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Government of the the far east to the Africa as the sun rising and setting time People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Russian Film tops Belt & Road Film Week

8 Brooks No Further Delay Dr. M Enamul Huq Great Walls Chinese name is granted scholarships by Chinese Universities. The growth Chang Cheng. In the year of Chinese language learning centers to cater to the grow - 1969 the astronauts could see ing demands for human resources is remarkable indeed! this construction from the Bangladesh Government has reciprocated extending her moon. There are good many strong support to Beijing led Belt and Road Initiative. USA things which have created and India are two major countries that have declined to world records and China now has become a name which is be part of BRI. Though Dhaka and Beijing are on a firm only second to USA in world footing to develop Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar affairs—specially in economic Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) Chinese role in Rohingya and political sectors. China has become a global giant in issue is not up to our expectation. financial technology. Amidst a host of economic dynamics Bangladesh Government’s urge and the recent visit of in the Chinese economy and its growing influence in the Prime Minister to China may help melting the ice of Ro - regional geopolitical sphere and resultant there is marked hingya issue as expected through repeated pious wish UN footprint of Chinese financial entities in South Asia. agencies—provided the two major partners China and In this context Bangladesh with Beijing’s political and eco - India see through the clear glass the far-reaching conse - nomic backing the Government has undertaken good quences of such inhuman tragedy. Bangladesh paid her many mega projects in the country aimed at improving its utmost for humane solution of the arbitrarily created infrastructure. The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock ex - problem by Myanmar. Alas it is high time that interna - change acquired 25% stakes of Dhaka stock exchange. tional cooperation comes forward through all concerned Ecommerce giant Ali Baba has invested in bKash and this brooks no further delay. Bangladesh’s largest mobile service provider. Technologi - cal cooperation between two countries could be a big Dr. M Enamul Huq is the Ex-President of Asia Crime Preven - story—thanks to the speedy digitization in both countries. tion Foundation-Bangladesh, Visiting Expert UN, Ex-Inspector There has been a spike in people to people contacts and General Police of Bangladesh and Ex-Member of Executive com - cultural relations. Increased number of students are mittee INTERPOL.

Chinese tea gains popularity in Belt and Road countries

9 Cooperation on the Joint Development of the Belt and Road Opportunities for Bangladesh Dr. Liu Jinqian Bangladesh impressed me a lot a strategic partnership, and Bangladesh formally joined for its great potential in talents the OBOR initiative. From then on, Bangladesh became and capital which were dis - the second country for its investment attraction in the played when I visited Dhaka South Asian countries. in 2012. It’s a hotspot for de - Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, velopment, with buildings bilateral relations have maintained healthy development. under construction and vari - Their partnership rose to a strategic level after President ous infrastructures every - Xi Jinping’s successful visit in October 2016. The two sides where. According to the signed a cooperation document on “One Belt One Road”, statistics report, the United which implied the economic and trade cooperation had Nations Development Policy reached a new stage. China now is the largest trading part - Committee announced that ner of Bangladesh. In 2018, bilateral trade volume reached Bangladesh could take off its “least developed country” 18.74 billion US dollars, up 16.8% year-by-year. hat and become a “developing country” in two years. Bangladesh surpassed Pakistan and became China’s sec - Bangladesh has maintained an economic growth rate of ond largest export market in South Asia. China’s invest - more than 6% in more than ten consecutive years, but ment in Bangladesh was 310 million US dollars, up 39.6% 7% in the past two years. We have to be clear that year-by-year. The number of new contracts and signed- Bangladesh is an important member of South Asia. completed projects ranked among the top 10 in the world. Bangladesh’s political situation has been stable for the At present, more than 300 Chinese enterprises have been past decade, hence its economic and social development registered at the Commercial Office of the Chinese Em - has made remarkable achievements. In 2018, Bangladesh bassy in Bangladesh, including textile and clothing, road had basically met the conditions for graduation from the and bridge construction, energy and electricity, finance, least developed countries and has taken firm steps towards agriculture, communications and other fields. the vision of “Golden Bangladesh” despite being a poor country in natural resources, small in land but large in Co-construction of OBOR can also boost services mar - population and weak in industrial base. However, after kets, which are an increasing share of the global GDP. The years of efforts, textile and clothing, pharmaceuticals and major investment projects of “integration of investment other industries started to take more important roles in and construction” have gradually become the protagonist solving employment problems. Foreign exchange keeps on of investment in Bangladesh. The Shanghai and Shenzhen going for its increasing world exports of textiles, clothing Stock Exchange jointly acquired 25% stake in the Dhaka and labor. Nowadays, although the business environment, stock exchange, which means a milestone in the coopera - infrastructure and other conditions are poor, the govern - tion between China and Bangladesh capital market, writ - ment has an open economic policy and friendly foreign ing a new chapter in the cooperation of the two countries. investment policy to ensure great potential for future de - It is worth emphasizing that the largest mobile payment velopment. enterprise in the region-Bkash, now cooperating with Ali - pay, has helped Bangladesh progress into the new era of 1. With the quickly development of Bangladesh, China sweeping-code payment age. and Bangladesh co-construction of OBOR will have OBOR building is highly compatible with the economic made new progress. Especially after President Xi Jinping’s and social development goals of Bangladesh, and is widely visit to Bangladesh in 2016, the two countries established welcomed by civilians. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

10 highly valued and attached importance to the construc - ment of manufacturing industry, make up for the short - tion of OBOR. Just as the old Chinese proverb says,“ A comings of industrial development, promote the clearance journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”. of “zombie enterprises” and excess capacity, alleviate the With the further development of mutually beneficial co - contradiction between resources and environment, and operation of OBOR, economic and trade cooperation be - accelerate the construction of a high-level market economy tween China and Bangladesh will be proceeding steadily system. The total tariff level is one of the important indi - to a bright future. cators of the degree of openness in the field of goods trade in China. China will further reduce tariff levels, eliminate 2. China’s further expansion of imports is a very good all kinds of non-tariff barriers, and constantly open the opportunity for Bangladeshi manufacturers to enter door to the market. In recent years, China has dramati - China. On the opening ceremony of the second “One cally lowered import tariffs on automobiles, cosmetics and Belt One Road” International Cooperation summit, Pres - other products. Most imported medicines have achieved ident Xi Jinping proposed that China will increase im - zero tariffs, which has actually reduced the prices of im - ports of goods and services on a larger scale and make the ported goods and enhanced the people’s sense of access world have a firm confidence in China’s initiative to ex - and happiness. At present, China’s total tariff level has pand imports, promote trade balance and remain open to dropped to 7.5%, which is lower than the average level of the outside world. developing countries. In the next step, China will further Today’s China is both a “world factory” and a “world mar - reduce tariffs, which that not only adopt non-tariff meas - ket”. China has become the world’s second largest econ - ures that distort trade, but also provide fair, effective and omy, the largest commodity trading country and the non-discriminatory market participation opportunities largest foreign exchange reserve country, contributing and access treatment for Chinese and foreign enterprises. more than 30% to world economic growth for many years. As we all know, selling means to buy, and purchase on the It has the largest middle-income group in the world. Its other side is to sell. China does not deliberately pursue per capita GDP is about to exceed US$10,000 and its con - trade to earn more money from abroad and is committed sumption growth potential is huge. Green, customization, to promoting balance of trade development. China wel - wisdom, differentiation and high quality have become the comes high-quality products from all over the world and important characteristics of the upgrading of consump - is willing to import more foreign competitive high-quality tion structure in China. In the next 15 years, China’s im - agricultural products, manufactured goods and services, ports of goods and services are expected to exceed US$30 making the Chinese market a normal exposition of high- trillion and US$10 trillion, respectively. These imports quality products at home and abroad. “If the world market have both increased in volume and improved in quality. is more competitive, China will become stronger; if China This is an opportunity for the world as well as for continues to develop, the world especially the developing Bangladesh, especially. countries will be better.” At present, the trend of anti-glob - Actively expanding imports is China’s long-term goal in alization is on the rise. Some countries adopted the policy consideration with contacting with the world, in the fu - of “zero-sum game” to implement trade protectionism and ture and promoting common development. It is con - other policies to undermine existing international rules ducive to better satisfy the growing material and cultural and order, which seriously hindered the global economic needs of the people and promote the upgrade of domestic recovery, destroy the international industrial chain and industrial structure. Products importation can increase split the world’s unified market. This short-sighted behav - consumer choices and welfare, meet the growing and di - ior makes human beings lose the ability to solve global versified needs of the people, and are of great significance problems and endanger the sustainable prosperity of the for building a high-quality life. At the same time, con - world. “Fair competition can improve efficiency and bring sumption guides production. By actively expanding im - prosperity.” In reviewing the situation, President Xi Jin - ports, we can promote the adjustment of domestic ping solemnly expressed to the world that China will con - industrial structure, promote the high-quality develop - tinue to make greater contributions to world economic

11 development by reducing its negative list, allowing foreign ASEAN and the EU as two typical examples. Therefore, investment to hold or operate in more areas, and ensuring the “One Belt One Road” especially the Bangladesh strict implementation of the Foreign Investment Law. China Burma economic corridor will bring great oppor - tunities to Bangladesh. With the development of infra - 3. The road to China’s economic development also has structure and transport sectors, Bangladeshi goods will an important reference value for Bangladesh’s future have more channels to enter the markets of China and economic and social development, and the prospect of Myanmar, as well as the markets of ASEAN and East Asia future cooperation is optimistic. Only when we have a deep insight into the historical development and an accu - through the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Cor - rate understanding of the inherent logic of economics can ridor. In terms of regional complementarities and the mil - we build up confidence in expanding market access for lions of people in border areas, the prospects for bilateral foreign investment in a wider field. At present, China has trade among Bangladesh, China and Myanmar are con - the basic conditions to expand its outreach. In the past siderable. Much of Bangladesh’s trade with China is car - 40 years, China had initially established a modern market ried out through land crossings, while economic corridors economy mechanism, relying on a comprehensive indus - can significantly reduce transport costs and increase trade trial system, and long-term participation in international volume with southern China. Trade links between division of labor by market players, which can adapt to the Bangladesh and Yunnan can also be significantly strength - more intense market competition brought about by open - ened through the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic ing its doors. Secondly, expanding the outreach will help Corridor. Trade volume with Yunnan is growing at an av - to promote the all-round improvement of China’s eco - erage rate of over 25% per year. Trade potential between nomic level. In the environment of fair competition, at - Bangladesh and Myanmar can be enhanced through tracting more foreign investment means not only the closer economic linkages within the sub-regional frame - inflow of funds, but also the introduction of advanced technology and scientific management concepts. It can work. Bangladesh has considerable development potential also make up for the shortcomings of industrial develop - in exporting medical or surgical instruments, pharmaceu - ment, speed up the clearance of “zombie enterprises” and ticals, minerals, chemicals, textiles, clothing and electrical excess capacity, and cultivate a higher level of market econ - equipment, while Myanmar has economic advantages in omy system. Of course, opening to the outside world is agricultural products, clothing, energy and metal prod - not just about introducing, but about putting equal em - ucts. Cross-border trade and investment, as well as the set - phasis on both entry and exit. For China’s market players, tlement of related disputes under the expanding the outreach can make better use of both in - Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Forum, will shape a good ternational and domestic markets, allocate two kinds of prospect for bilateral trade and investment. In addition, resources more efficiently, integrate into the international with the rapid economic development of East Asia and division of labor more deeply, and enhance their position Southeast Asia, Bangladesh is full of great expectations in the global industrial chain. At the same time, under and concerns for comprehensive economic cooperation the new open pattern, China will examine more compre - with northeastern India, China and other East Asian hensively its own imperfections in the process of system countries. It is for this reason that the Bangladesh-China- and rules formulation, implementation and development, and accelerate the pace of comprehensive deepening re - Myanmar Economic Corridor is of vital importance to form with a positive attitude. Bangladesh. At last but not least what needs to be emphasized is that potential economic cooperation interests between coun - Dr. Liu Jinqian, Assistant Professor, Institute of International tries and regions have been widely recognized, including Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, China.

12 Challenge and opportunity of Bangladesh-China FTA M S Siddiqui

China has signed and im - China formally proposes in 2014 to enter into FTA with plemented 16 FTAs with its Bangladesh. In this regard, the MoU has already been trade and investment part - signed in 2016 between the two countries. Now the FTA ners, including the Associa - probability process is ‘underway’. After completing all for - tion of Southeast Asian malities, Bangladesh will sign the FTA with China. But Nations (ASEAN), Singa - Bangladesh is pursuing China t o improve trade facility pore, Pakistan, Maldives, and export apparel items more and seeks duty-free market Georgia, New Zealand, access in China. Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ice - China is now slowly transforming to a consumption land, Switzerland, Hong driven, service-based economy. Bangladesh exports to Kong, Macao, South Korea, China are limited to leather, cotton textiles, fish, etc. and Australia. It also sign The FTA with China will boost Bangladeshi exports Closer Economic Partner - to China significantly, help to create new industries ship Arrangement (CEPA)— and firms, and generate millions of jobs. The import synonymous to FTA, has been signed in 2003 with the of lower-priced goods from China will also be bene - separate customs territories of Hong Kong and Macao ficial to consumers as well as manufacturers. Since under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle in order China is moving towards a consumption based econ - to enhance economic cooperation as well as promote omy, there will be types of services as potential bene - trade exchange between the mainland and Hong Kong as ficiaries from free trade with China as a result of well as Macao. In addition, 24 more FTAs between China growing demand. This can help Bangladesh to open and her trading partners are under construction through a new way to earn foreign currency. Bangladeshi in - negotiations. dustry and service sectors associated with agro-food, The two South Asian countries, Pakistan and Maldives leather and textile, manpower and natural resources have signed FTAs with China. On December 7, 2017, Mal - are expected to be among the biggest winners from dives, being one of the least developed countries, signed an FTA, since the Chinese demand for such products FTA with China. China-Maldives FTA includes trade in continues to grow. goods, trade in services, investment and economic and The present cooperation between two countries is aimed technical cooperation with the particular emphasis on lib - at increasing economic exchanges and trade, building key eralization as well as facilitation of their bilateral trade and projects in areas such as infrastructure, production capac - investment. It also aims at deepening two sides’ practical ity, energy, electricity, transportation, information, tele - cooperation. On the other hand, Pakistan and China com and agriculture, and strengthening practical reached FTA in November 2006 that came into force in cooperation under the BCIM Economic Corridor be - July 2007. tween Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar. China now is Bangladesh is enjoying preferential treatment from China the biggest trading partner of Bangladesh; however, China under the APTA (Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement) and reportedly does not seek trade surpluses as its trading goal. China’s initiation of unilateral tariff liberalisation for least In future, China will import more competitive goods from developed countries. Bangladesh has been enjoying duty Bangladesh. The signing of a free trade agreement be - benefits for 60 percent and 83 products in the Chinese tween China and Bangladesh will provide Bangladesh market. Bangladesh mainly imports machinery, cotton, with more preferential goods, services and investments ac - consumer products and chemical and chemical products cess to China. from China, while exporting jute, jute products, ready - Bangladesh may focus on FTAs including trade in invest - made garments and processed leather the other way. ment, goods and services and movement of natural per -

13 sons. Within the negotiation of trade in goods, a number field for Bangladeshi businesses vis-à-vis their Pak - of issues are to be taken into account which includes tar - istani, Maldivian, Chilean, Costa Rican and Peruvian iffs, effective mechanism for removal of nontariff barriers competitors, which operate under FTAs their coun - (NTBs), rules of origin, customs cooperation, safeguard tries have signed with China. measures, dispute settlement mechanism and institutional mechanism to oversee the implementation of the agree - There is a geopolitical equation and challenge will ments. come from the US and India regarding FTA between Bangladesh and China. India may consider the FTA The expert opinion in Bangladesh and other countries between China and Bangladesh as the Chinese asser - also in favor of FTA between Bangladesh and China and tion in her backyard and a Chinese penetration into also some other countries. A study of Centre for Policy her sphere of influence in South Asia. On the other Dialogue (CPD) taking the theoretical basis, an analysis hand, the US may consider the FTA as the geostrate - has been carried out to identify possible ‘natural partners’ gic obstacle in containing China at the Bay of Bengal for forming FTA with Bangladesh. CPD observed that and Indian Ocean region. countries being ‘natural partners’ for bilateral trade de - pends on mutual interest from both sides. Analysis shows Bangladesh must deal with India and the US deli - that for Bangladesh, such possible partners could be Ar - cately and convince them that the FTA with China gentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, will not be used against their interests in the region. Mexico, Korea, Russia, South Africa and Ukraine. The agreement will solely be treated as Bangladesh’s national interest for economic development. In a study by CUTS a Indian think Tank having extensive study CUTS Dossier on Preferential Trade Agreements, Bangladesh, perhaps, is the only country in the world with its present size and level of the economy which could not October-December 2017 on regional FTA, observed in a sign a single bilateral FTA till now. The signing of the study that though India, China and Bangladesh do not much needed free trade agreements (FTAs) with the im - have any common product in the list of their top ten ex - portant trading partners is still far away for Bangladesh as porting products and, also, the degree of commonality it is very reluctant to sign FTA so far but looking for uni - and competition is very low, it cannot be said that India lateral trade preferences from counterpart. It arguments need not worry from this proposed FTA. India’s tradi - are loss of revenue and safeguard of local industries. tional ties with Bangladesh may be at stake from this agree - The argument that signing of FTA with China or any ment because its share of trade in Bangladesh may be other bigger economy will undermine the interest of local captured by China sooner or later. Additionally, in future industries in Bangladesh is an old argument bearing no China’s import demand of textiles and other products, on merit. Had this argument still been correct, no FTA would which Bangladesh is exporting largely, may be further met have been signed anywhere in the world. from Bangladesh and, hence, the demand for Indian prod - Bangladesh should not expect any more duty-free and ucts of the same category in the Chinese market may get quota-free access to the markets of advanced economies diminished. As a remedial measure, India should for its exports. These types of facilities will now have to strengthen its trade relations with Bangladesh by strength - be negotiated with willing partners like China. A free ening its trade and investment promotion work in that trade accord with China, or any other country including country. Bangladesh and India are already in FTA through India having strong trade ties with Bangladesh, will ensure South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). that facility. Bangladesh should also look for FTA with For Bangladesh, an FTA with China represents a USA and EU to compete with countries in Asia and golden opportunity, giving her access to the world’s Africa in these two markets. third-largest economy after the European Union and the United States. It will also help level the playing M S Siddiqui is Legal Economist.

14 China-Bangladesh Cultural Exchange: A “Belt and Road” Success Story “All these years I have remained devoted to learning, teaching and sharing cultural and human values with others. The Belt and Road Initiative has created a new window to seize my dreams in an even broader way.” Kishore Biswas n the seventh grade, I became enchanted with a new Ph.D. at Peking University. Such a journey was not easy art teacher who opened a window for me to learn at first. Learning a new language, adapting to a new envi - about Chinese art, culture and history. Interestingly, ronment and understanding a whole new education sys - Ithe very Chinese characters engraved on my art pencil and tem knocked me way down to earth from my sky-high ruler, as on most Chinese products exported to this day, dreams. I spent most of my college life with Chinese class - caught my curious eyes. I even managed to write those mates. They were friendly and talented. They helped me alien versions of mighty hieroglyphics— “中國製造 ”(Made in China), when I was 11. with my studies, language barriers and day-to-day problems in the foreign land. My major and field of research Who could have guessed that such a mundane Chinese throughout undergraduate and graduate schools mostly window in high school would expand into a stable door - stayed in the Computer Science realm, but I tried to learn way later in my life? Nearly two decades have passed since a little more than just academic knowledge alongside my I first visited China at the dawn of the millennium. I was classroom and lab work. I decided to utilize every oppor - fascinated by the big ceramic flower vases and the large tunity to learn about the people around me—about their portrait of the Great Wall at the Chinese Embassy in culture, their thought processes and their perspective on Bangladesh. And soon after my first step on Chinese soil, the world. Gradually I was able to participate in several I took the Chinese government scholarship exam. TV shows and media programs including the famous I was lucky enough to be offered a scholarship to study in “Chinese Bridge” competition for foreign students in the top two universities in China: I earned my bachelor’s China. I made it through the finals and won the gold degree at Tsinghua University and a master’s degree and medal in 2009. I discovered that the more I learned about Chinese culture and history, the more I fell in love with China. But occasionally, cul - tural differences, and even misunderstand - ings, between my home country and China have worried me. Most of my friends and rela - tives in Bangladesh still have a limited impres - sion of China. The same is true of my Chi - nese friends toward Bangladesh. I try to tell my fellow nationals: China is a more di -

15 verse and colorful country than just flying kung fu heroes and unusual food. I try to introduce them to modern China and its advanced technology and lifestyles. I have also encouraged my Chinese friends to visit Bangladesh and enjoy its unique cultural taste, natural beauty and hospitality. I realized more action is needed than just words. I felt the urge to clear up misin - formation and rumors from both sides, so I started writing a book on China-Bangladesh cul - tural differences, part of which was published in the art Both sides of the Himalayas have been enriched by two of pages of a leading Bangladeshi newspaper, BDNews24 . I the world’s earliest civilizations—China and the Indian received positive feedback from readers, and that encour - subcontinent. The two cultures have a long history of bi - aged my writing. lateral exchange. Although most people living today in South Asia and China know comparatively little about I love poetry. Ancient Chinese poems, especially those each other’s language and culture, the past decade has from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), are attractive to me. In seen the wind starting to change direction. Cooperation hopes of sharing that literary treasure with Bangladeshi in politics, economics, culture and education between readers, I started translating Chinese verses into Bengali China and South Asian countries is on a dramatic rise poems, which were also published in Bangladeshi news - today after the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative by papers and magazines. I enjoyed my role as a bridge be - President Xi Jinping. tween Chinese and Bangladeshi cultures. This change inspires the need for better understanding During my work at Peking University, I was encouraged among the three billion people of both sides. They need to translate some Chinese books into Bengali with gov - to overcome miscommunication brought by cultural dif - ernment sponsorship. I worked with a group at China ferences and language barriers to achieve better coopera - Radio International to translate the renowned book Xi tion. The Belt and Road Initiative is facilitating cultural Jinping: The Governance of China , and its Bengali version exchange to connect more people around the globe. was published in Bangladesh last year. Having spent half of my life in China, I have fallen deeply After that project, a group of South Asian publishers were in love with the country and its people. I created a family invited to China for a training and exchange program. I here, and I’m proud to raise my next generation in China. represented one of my country’s promising publishing All these years, I have remained devoted to learning, teach - companies, Poribar Publications Ltd., as part of the ing and sharing cultural and human values with others. Bangladeshi team. After successful visits, trainings, and The Belt and Road Initiative has provided a window to ex - discussions, we signed a bilateral publishing contract with pand my dreams. Hearkening back to those Chinese char - two Chinese publications. Under that contract, I am now acters engraved on my school pencils, I love to tag myself: translating more than 20 different Chinese books includ - “Born in Bangladesh, made in China.” ing The Luoyang Silk Road in the Picture . These are in line for publication at the end of this year. Furthermore, my students and I are writing a Chinese-language book on Kishore Biswas is a Bangladeshi publisher and former foreign learning Bengali. All these activities seem to add literary expert at the Foreign Studies Department of Peking University, meaning to the phrase “cultural exchange.” China.

16 Belt and Road Initiative can help ease regional tension Prof. Sarwar Md. Saifullah Khaled Development driven by hingyas from Myanmar have been pushed to Bangladesh China’s Belt and Road Initia - in recent years on religious ground. Aside from religious tive will help the reconciliation reasons, the concentration of poverty and high unemploy - of ethnic divisions and the ment among youth have led to growing calls for national calming in regional conflicts of secession, as well as increasing religious extremism and vi - countries involved in the initia - olent terrorism in countries along the routes. tive. The role that the Belt and China, as the world’s second biggest economy, has played Road Initiative has played in an important role in global trade, investment and devel - promoting regional peace is opment. Moreover, it plays an increasingly significant role likely to be a brand new one in foreign aid, regional security and international rela - and in contrary to the pallia - tions. With the development of China, boosting eco - tive approach that the West has traditionally proposed. nomic development will be a priority of the initiative, The initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping which should help alleviate poverty and eradicate the fer - in 2013, comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the tile soil that breeds extremism and terrorism. 21st Century Maritime Silk Road has brought together Progress and results in implementation of the initiative over 100 countries including Bangladesh and interna - tional organizations in Asia, Europe and Africa, via land have exceeded expectations with more than 100 countries and maritime networks. The move is also part of China’s and international or regional institutions so far involved. efforts to provide public goods and honour international The investment flow to related countries from Chinese responsibilities that are commensurate with its status as a enterprises was about US $19 billion, up 38.6 percent global power. from the previous year in 2015 alone. Among the initia - Although the Belt and Road Initiative was not a political tive’s initial results is the construction of the Indonesian initiative, but promoting closest economic and trade co - high-speed railway to connect the country’s capital Jakarta operation among the participating countries will definitely to Bandung, the third biggest Indonesian city. Under the help enhance mutual political trust. The initiative’s results Chinese initiative the high-speed railway in Indonesia is have exceeded expectations as over 30 countries have since expected to set an example for the win-win China-Indone - 2013 inked agreements with China to jointly build the sia cooperation, stimulating economic growth in areas Belt and Road Initiative and more than 20 countries around the routes. along the routes have conducted industrial cooperation Farming technologies are also among the exports of China with China. under the Belt and Road Initiative to Kyrgyzstan in Cen - However, threats posed by conflicts and upheavals remain, tral Asia, an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. and hinder global peace and economic sustainable devel - China’s cotton cultivation technology has helped local opment. Some 50 million people worldwide have been farmers to raise annual income to as much as US $40,000, displaced due to rising regional conflicts in recent years. compared to a monthly average of US $200 now nation - There are still considerable political and military con - wide, with a cotton output up to 5 tons per hectare com - frontations among the participating countries. The inter - pared to the country’s previous high of more than 3 tons per hectare. On top of joint projects including transport national security situation has become more complex network and power distribution system, such cooperation amid mounting hotspot issues since the end of the Cold with China are bringing wealth to Kyrgyz people, while in - War, and traditional security threats have intertwined with creasing the confidence among people in surrounding non-traditional threats in East and West Asia. Under the countries in seeking common development and prosperity Belt and Road Initiative, it is possible to change the state under the Belt and Road Initiative. The countries along of conflicts through economic means in the background the Belt and Road Initiative are bucking the trend, al - of economic globalisation. though the world has been mired in sluggish economic The president of the Beijing-based University of Interna - growth. tional Relations, Tao Jian said that the initiative has not only provided an opportunity to address regional tensions, but also can help gather organisations that love peace. It Prof. Sarwar Md. Saifullah Khaled is a retired Professor of is worth mentioning that more than 1.1 million Ro - Economics, BCS General Education Cadre, Bangladesh.

17 China's Defense Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP

Source: NO. 32 AUGUST 8, 2019

18 10 Chinese Officers Promoted to Rank of General

Xi Jinping (C, front), chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and other leaders pose for a group photo with ten senior Chinese military and armed police officers who have been promoted to the rank of general in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2019. Xi presented the officers with certificates of order signed by him at a ceremony the CMC held in Beijing. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

en senior Chinese military and armed police officers the PLA Fan Xiaojun, Political Commissar of the Central have been promoted to the rank of general, the high - Theater Command of the PLA Zhu Shengling, Com - eTst rank for officers in active service in China. mander of the PLA Navy Shen Jinlong, Political Commis - Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission sar of the PLA Navy Qin Shengxiang, Commander of the (CMC), presented the officers with certificates of order PLA Air Force Ding Laihang, President of the National signed by him at a ceremony the CMC held in Beijing on Defense University of the PLA Zheng He and Political 31 July, 2019. Commissar of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force An Zhaoqing. The promoted officers are Director of the CMC Equip - ment Development Department Li Shangfu, Commander Xu Qiliang, CMC vice chairman, announced the orders of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liber - of promotion at the ceremony, which was presided over ation Army (PLA) Yuan Yubai, Political Commissar of the by Zhang Youxia, the other CMC vice chairman. Western Theater Command of the PLA Wu Shezhou, Po - litical Commissar of the Northern Theater Command of Source: Xinhua

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