The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh has refuted China-related remarks by the United States ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T Christensen, saying those are ‘utterly unfounded’ and of ‘ulterior motives’.

It urged the United States side to be more aware of its responsibilities, and focus more on actions that were conducive to Bangladesh’s stability as well as the development and cooperation in the region.

‘Such remarks by the US ambassador to Bangladesh are irresponsible and utterly unfounded. They confuse right and wrong, and are completely out of ulterior motives,’ said a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka in a statement, referring to media reports.

It said that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Bangladesh had always supported each other, treated one another as equals, and engaged in win-win cooperation.

Addressing his maiden press conference in the city, new US envoy Christensen said on Wednesday that he was concerned about ‘broader Chinese influence’ in the South Asia.

‘You know, as I said in my hearing… I am concerned about broader Chinese influence in South Asia. I think the United States government has been very clear about that,’ Christensen said, responding to a question regarding geopolitics and Chinese influence in the region.

He said that he had committed in his Senate hearing that he would always engage with their friends in the government — be it the interim government or the new elected government — to clearly articulate the risks of involvement with the Chinese in certain areas should the Bangladesh government choose to go down that path.

The US and Bangladesh has strong military-to-military cooperation and it has been growing stronger, according to the US ambassador.

The Chinese embassy in the statement said that the China-Bangladesh cooperation had delivered benefits to and received broad support from the people of both countries.

‘It is conducive to the development and stability in the region. Cooperation between China and Bangladesh is a matter between the two countries and their peoples, and brooks no interference or finger-pointing by the US side,’ said the statement.

Christensen, who arrived in Dhaka on January 12, was confirmed by the US Senate as ambassador to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on December 18, 2025.