China calls for fair elections in Bangladesh

BEIJING - China on Monday called for inclusive elections to be held in Bangladesh at an early date, as the South Asian state is suffering from political turmoil which triggers violence.

"As a close and friendly neighbor of Bangladesh, China sincerely hopes that all concerned parties put the general interest first," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular briefing.

He urged exploration of solutions acceptable for all via dialogue and a focus on political and social stability, and economic development.

The political impasse between the ruling and opposition parties over the election formation has triggered widespread violence since late November, leaving dozens of people dead and hundreds injured.

Bangladesh plunged into a major political crisis in late 2006 and returned to democracy after two years of military rule following widely acceptable parliament elections in 2008 under the caretaker government.

The country has a history of electoral fraud and violence. Caretaker governments have held elections in 1996, 2001 and 2008, which were recognized as free and fair by local and international observers.