A high-level six-member delegation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), led by its Vice President His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Zhou Pingjian, paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office on Thursday, 25th September. The delegation included Mr. Zhao Yongguo, Director of the Asia, Africa and Latin America Department of CPIFA; Dr. Wang Xu, Executive Deputy Director of the South Asian Studies Center at Peking University; Ms. Zhang Li, Officer of the Asia, Africa and Latin America Department of CPIFA; Mr. Zhang Jing, Political Director of the Chinese Embassy; and Ms. Liu Hongru, Attaché at the Embassy.

The Jamaat Ameer was accompanied by Central Executive Committee Member Mr. ATM Azharul Islam, Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General and party's Chief of Central Publicity and Media Affairs Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Central Executive Committee Member and Secretary of Central Publicity and Media Affairs Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda, Central Executive Committee Member Mr. Mobarak Hossain, and Jamaat Ameer’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan.

Following the meeting, in a press briefing, Professor Mia Golam Porwar said, “We warmly welcomed the distinguished guests in a very cordial atmosphere. They had a courtesy meeting and exchange of views with the Jamaat Ameer. Since recovering from illness, the Jamaat Ameer expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah that for the first time he was able to attend a meeting with a foreign delegation at the central office. He also expressed thanks to the honorable guests. The friendly and diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China since 1975 were recalled during the meet. The Jamaat Ameer told the Chinese leaders: ‘China and Bangladesh are development partners. Together we can pursue development for both countries, and we value a close brotherly neighborly relationship even more than friendship. Economically and in all respects, we in Bangladesh are trying to stand on our own feet.’”

Professor Mia Golam Porwar further stated that during the fallen fascist regime, Jamaat-e-Islami had suffered unspeakable repression. “Our leaders had been were killed. Our registration was revoked. Our offices were shut down. The Jamaat Ameer shared these painful memories with the Chinese leaders.”

He added, “Through the massive student and people’s uprising, the autocratic government was ousted. But even after its fall, conspiracies have continued. With the shelter and patronage of a foreign country, conspiracies against Bangladesh are ongoing. We discussed with them regarding the current global situation, politics, global security and various issues. The Jamaat Ameer presented before the Chinese delegation how Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami intends to build a new Bangladesh in the future and how we can advance friendly and harmonious discussions between the two countries. The Jamaat Ameer also described to the guests how Bangladesh’s economy and banking sector have been plundered during the Awami League regime. Corruption and money laundering have devastated our economy.”

The Secretary General said, “Jamaat-e-Islami, as an election-oriented party based on Islamic values, believes in democracy. In response to their questions, the Jamaat Ameer said: ‘Jamaat-e-Islami has participated in all acceptable elections in the past and has represented in every parliament. Jamaat-e-Islami upholds equal dignity and all human, constitutional and political rights irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender or identity.’”

If the people of the country entrust Jamaat-e-Islami with the responsibility of governing the country, the Jamaat Ameer said, “We will not be rulers; we will be servants. Everyone will enjoy equal rights. Bangladesh is a densely populated country. For development, we are creating an investment friendly environment, including for export processing with China. We see great potential ahead.”

The honorable guests remarked, ‘We feel highly honored to be here today.’ They were deeply grateful that the Jamaat Ameer, after regaining health, welcomed them with a smiling face, added Mia Golam Porwar.

Recently, as a delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami participated in the 50th anniversary celebration organized by the Chinese Embassy, the Chinese delegation expressed gratitude to Jamaat for that. The Jamaat Ameer said, “We want to maintain good relations with all neighbors, including China.”

The Chinese delegation highlighted what kind of initiatives China is undertaking in the 21st century to build a new developed world, and the progress achieved under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. They said to the Jamaat Ameer, “During your recent visit to China, you and your delegation must have witnessed these achievements. From the Chinese revolution of 1949 to 2049, and for each subsequent five-year plan, China has been undertaking initiatives for development and modernization.”

In response, the Jamaat Ameer said, “In the international environment, we want to pursue development and progress on the basis of joint partnership.”

Professor Mia Golam Porwar said that considering regional and global contexts, Bangladesh and China will jointly achieve significant progress in the future, and China feels not only strategic necessity with Bangladesh but also values mutual relationship, dialogue and strategic exchange between Jamaat-e-Islami and the Communist Party. The honorable Jamaat Ameer expressed his thanks to them. It has been stated in the meeting that China will maintain both government-to-government (G2G) and party-to-party relations.

The Secretary General said, “They inquired about our preparedness to participate in the upcoming elections. The Jamaat Ameer replied: ‘We are always an election-oriented party. We are prepared for elections and are making all necessary preparations to participate.’”

On the question of global human rights, the Jamaat Ameer said, “Wherever human rights are being violated across the world, especially against the people of Palestine and the Muslims in Gaza, who are enduring indescribable oppression and persecution; in Syria, Iraq and Myanmar, where rights are violated; and also in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia—China has the opportunity to play a significant role. Jamaat Ameer further commented that we all should act through a comprehensive strategy.”