Kuala lumpur: China and Canada have expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh in trade, investment, and humanitarian aid, particularly in supporting the displaced Rohingya population, according to the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia. The announcement came after separate bilateral meetings between the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, and his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, with Md Touhid Hossain, the Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related events.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, during the meeting with China, Hossain expressed appreciation for China's political and development support, reiterating Bangladesh's call for an urgent solution to the Rohingya crisis and seeking China's backing in this matter. He also urged China to support Bangladesh at regional and multilateral platforms, including the United Nations. Hossain is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting, held in conjunction with the 58th AMM and related meetings.

The High Commission reported that Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing's full support for the reform initiatives led by the Bangladesh government under Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Potential areas of cooperation were discussed, including medical tourism and water management. Recalling the recent China-Bangladesh Investment Conference, Wang Yi expressed China's interest in collaboration with Bangladesh in sectors such as textiles, energy, and light engineering.

In the meeting with Anand, the High Commission noted that both sides explored ways to expand bilateral relations, especially in trade through diversification and resilience building. The Canadian Foreign Minister also reaffirmed Canada's support in addressing the longstanding Rohingya crisis.