China and Bangladesh reaffirm their ties as territorial and economic issues rise in the region

BEIJING (AP) — China and Bangladesh are reaffirming their ties during a visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Beijing as tensions rise in the region over territorial disputes and resources. Bangladesh occupies a strategic position between Myanmar, a longtime Chinese ally now wracked by internal conflict, and India, the rising Asian giant with which China has a longstanding border conflict. Hasina met with her Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, on Wednesday and oversaw the signing of 28 agreements between the countries covering mostly trade and investment. While Bangladesh maintains development partnerships with the United States and India, it is also drawing closer to China, which is heavily engaged in the country’s major infrastructure projects.