'It is time for Bangladesh statesmen to hammer out solution'

China has said it is time for Bangladesh statesmen to make the best use of their wisdom to hammer out a solution acceptable to all.

The Chinese embassy in Dhaka said in a statement on Thursday " China is of the view that it is high time for Bangladesh statesmen to make the best use of their wisdom to hammer out a solution acceptable to all, which is surely beneficial to this country and its people, as well as regional stability and development at large. "

"China is worried about escalation of political tension in this country. However, China is encouraged by the dialogue momentum between representatives of the ruling party Awami League and its opposition BNP at the auspices of the United Nations."

At least five people were dead and scores of others injured in political violence on Thursday, the last day of Bangladesh opposition alliance's week-long non-stop blockade since Saturday.

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have enforced a series of blockades from Nov. 26 for postponement of the schedule for general elections slated for Jan. 5.

Dozens of people were dead and hundreds of others injured during the blockades which triggered wide spread violence since Nov. 26 in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. Khaleda has asked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to bring back a non-party caretaker system, or else the opposition won't participate in the next election because it fears an election without the non-party caretaker government will not be free and fair.

The statement added"As a close neighbor and friend, China considers a growing and stable Bangladesh is in the interest of China. The new Chinese leadership attaches great importance to developing relations with Bangladesh and views Bangladesh as a natural partner as well as an important direction for China's expanding the opening-up to the west. "