The relations between China and Bangladesh have evolved over the years, steadily moving towards significant international developments and politics. The reliable partnership of China-Bangladesh has emerged with the aid of extending military, economic, and diplomatic support for the long term.
After four years of founding the land of Bangladesh, in 1975, diplomatic relations with China were established. The government of Bangladesh celebrated the China-Bangladesh Friendship Year in 2005 – seeking to ally strategically as two nations working towards a mutual goal.
The bilateral relations were further strengthened with persistent support and promoting economic cooperation with the integration of multidimensional trade while simultaneously allowing the Joint Economic and Trade Commission to fuel the growth of the bilateral trade.
The strategic alliance between the two nations was forged by the senior leaders and continues to grow with the contribution of civil activists by building layers of care and guidance. Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu, an energetic civil activist who is also known for his business acumen, is determined to strengthen the foundation of a long-term alliance between China and Bangladesh with his expertise. He holds dual nationality of Bangladesh and China and currently resides in Hong Kong. After obtaining his Chinese citizenship, he changed his name to 孫逸仙 (Sun Yat-sen).
In order to position himself in the trading industry of the Asian-Pacific region, Dr. Islam established the Multipurpose Export Import and Communication (MEXIMCO) Group, operating in several countries, including Hong Kong, China, Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, and Turkey. Expanding his trading business, particularly in China and Hong Kong, has fueled economic cooperation.
Dr. Islam's contribution and support for China go beyond economic cooperation. In 2019, he registered the institution of the China-Bangladesh Friendship Center (CBFC) in Hong Kong and currently serves as General Secretary. The aim of the organization is to uphold the notion of ‘One Greater China to Bangladeshis’ by believing in the One China, BRI, and One Country Two System Policy. He is also presently serving as an editor and publisher of Ethnic Minorities News Hong Kong – supporting the rights of minorities.
The increasing inequality witnessed in the developing nations of the Asian region, further exacerbated by the consequences of the pandemic, has heightened social issues. Tackling the challenges of inequalities has increasingly become evident with the emergence of non-profit organizations and fulfilling the pledge of ‘Leave No One Behind’ proposed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The compassion for underprivileged communities in Dr. Islam’s heart devoted him to becoming a member of the Society for Social Entrepreneurship Development Alternative (Soseda) in order to attain a sustainable community. Correspondingly, in 2011, Dr. Islam bridged the divide by initiating a non-profit organization, Dr. Muhammad Fakhrul Islam Foundation (MFIF), serving the necessity of old age homes, free schools, orphanages, and grant scholarships in Bangladesh.
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
Dalai Lama
Dr. Islam is a Rotarian, a senior member of the Rotary Club, currently fulfilling his responsibilities as a Director of the Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile, Hong Kong. Due to his professional and political experience as a Vice president of Bangladesh Awami League, Hong Kong, he was designated for the position of Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
His propensity to extend a supporting hand to uplift the community is evident in his numerous social services through a number of organizations he is associated with, including Bangladesh Computer Samity, Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong (BAHK), the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chinese Economists Society Inc., Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hong Kong – BCCIHK, Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong, and Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce HK. Dr. Islam also received the Life Member designation at the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.
With the contribution of social services and fueling growth to trading and economic cooperation, Dr. Islam has cemented the alliance between Bangladesh and China for years.