Both China and Bangladesh seem to downplay the remarks of Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming after he met with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Wednesday.
But diplomatic circles believe that the remarks were part of subtle diplomatic maneuvering by China.
"I do not think that the Chinese ambassador made an unplanned remark. It is unusual for them rather I think the remarks were made as part of their strategy," Ambassador Humayun Kabir told the FE on Sunday.
Several officials of the foreign ministry and analysts had also expressed the same view.
On Wednesday, the Chinese envoy had a meeting with the Bangladesh foreign secretary of which media had no prior knowledge.
Both of them were present at the handover ceremony of Chinese vaccine to Bangladesh at State Guesthouse Padma. High officials of foreign and health ministries and a good number of newsmen were also present.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque were there but they did not take any question from the reporters who were eager to follow the development of the remarks made by the Chinese envoy on Tuesday and strong criticism made by the foreign minister on Wednesday.
The Chinese ambassador said Bangladesh-China ties would be substantially damaged if 'Bangladesh joins Quad alliance in any form.' In response, Foreign Minister Dr Momen said such remarks from China were unexpected and none from Quad had approached Bangladesh to join it.
When they met on Wednesday for handover of 0.5 million vaccines, all eyes were on them. The programme was brief and soon after it ended, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen hurried to adjacent Meghna, another state guesthouse.
He was followed by the Chinese ambassador who was guided by a foreign ministry staffer through the driveway that stretches behind Padma Guesthouse. So, their movement was almost unnoticed to the media. They had a 50-minute long meeting on the varandah of the first floor.
In reply to a query about whether Bangladesh sought explanation from the Chinese envoy for his remarks, the foreign secretary said the envoy explained his position.
When asked whether the envoy expressed regret for his comments, Mr Masud said he explained that his 'problem in English language' caused miscommunication.
The envoy said he did not say anything to suggest us, the foreign secretary told the FE.
Minutes later, Mr Li flanked by two of his embassy staff members came out of the building but he declined to make any comment when this correspondent asked him about the meeting.
However, experts feel that the remarks made by China was a pre-emptive move to provide a message not only to the Bangladesh government but also to the people of Bangladesh.
"This is simply a public diplomacy," Ambassador Humayun Kabir said, adding that China has expressed its uneasiness over the recent activities of the western powers and their allies in the region.
The issue of joining Quad surfaced during the visit of the Chinese defence minister to Bangladesh recently. According to Chinese official news agency, he requested Bangladesh not to join Quad during his meeting with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid.
"We are against joining any military alliance but we are in favour of a free and open Indian ocean," the foreign minister said recently when asked to comment on the Chinese defence minister's request for not joining Quad.
Bangladesh wants free trade through sea routes, he added.
The minister, however, said Bangladesh has already joined China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for economic development and also agreed to take part in the economic cooperation under Indo-Pacific Strategy, an initiative promoted by the USA.
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