China on Wednesday accused the Quad of being an “exclusive clique” against Beijing.

China also defended its ambassador’s warning to Dhaka against joining the US-led alliance, saying the envoy has made the country’s position “clear” on the issue.

China’s ambassador in Dhaka, Li Jiming, on Monday warned Bangladesh against joining the four-nation group comprising the US, Australia, Japan and India, saying that Dhaka’s participation in the anti-Beijing “club” would result in “substantial damage” to bilateral relations.

Li’s provocative remarks was described as “very unfortunate” and “aggressive” by Bangladesh foreign minister Dr A.K. Abdul Momen on Tuesday. “We are an independent and sovereign state. We decide our foreign policy,” Momen had said, adding that Bangladesh has been following a “non-aligned” and “balanced” foreign policy and the country would decide what to do in line with that principle.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media in Beijing that she had not seen Momen’s remarks.