United States ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen said on Wednesday in Dhaka that he was concerned about broader Chinese influence in South Asia.

Addressing his maiden press conference in the city, the new US envoy said that his government wanted to work together with Bangladesh for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

‘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. And as I committed in my hearing, I will always engage with our friends in the government—be it the interim government or the newly 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,’ Christensen said, responding to a question about the growing Chinese influence in the region.

He said that they had a host of options available to try to help their partner militaries meet their capability needs.

The US and Bangladesh had strong military-to-military ties, and it was growing stronger, the envoy mentioned.

‘We have partnerships across all branches of Bangladesh defense forces, working with the Navy on maritime security, with the Army, and with the Air Force on operational and emergency response readiness through a host of training and exercises,’ he told a select group of print media journalists.

He said they were working with the Bangladeshi military in support of its plans for modernisation and developing its capabilities.

The US Senate on December 18 confirmed career diplomat Brent T Christensen as ambassador to Bangladesh.

He arrived in Dhaka on January 12.