United News of Bangladesh

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said three top-tier hospitals in China’s Yunnan Province have been designated to specifically receive Bangladeshi patients. “If all the efforts continue smoothly, the first group of Bangladeshi patients could receive treatment in China as early as in March this year,” Ambassador Yao said during a media briefing at the Chinese Embassy in the capital. He said relevant departments from both countries are working to improve medical service mechanisms, including streamlining visa procedures, clarifying treatment processes and establishing translation teams. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, during his recent visit to China, proposed strengthening bilateral cooperation in public health, kindly requesting China to facilitate medical treatment for Bangladeshi patients in China and render due consideration to the aided hospital projects. “China attaches vital importance to these proposals,” said Ambassador Yao assuring of providing top quality services. China is the largest investor in Bangladesh since the establishment of the interim government and since last August, at least 13 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladesh partners, with a total intended investment of around USD 230 million, which fully demonstrates China's confidence in and support for Bangladesh's future development, the envoy said. Currently, over 30 companies have signed letters of intent to invest in the China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram, with a total investment exceeding USD 1 billion. China hopes that the interim government will approve the industrial park project as soon as possible, he said, adding that China will also encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest and thrive in Bangladesh. China wishes to see stability, finds reforms Bangladesh's internal matter Responding to a question, the Ambassador said his country is ready to help Bangladesh implement the Teesta River water management project but as a sovereign country, it is up to Bangladesh to decide about the implementation of the project. Bangladesh sought Chinese assistance for the Teesta Project in 2021 by sending a proposal. After evaluating the project, in 2023, China sent a report to the Bangladesh government. The Chinese envoy said they have yet to receive any response from the Bangladesh government since then. Ambassador Yao said people-to-people exchanges have reached new stages and both sides agreed to establish more Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms. China will provide more opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in China, he said. “In addition, we have officially proposed setting up a Chinese cultural center in Bangladesh, and we welcome Bangladesh to establish its cultural center in China also. These efforts will for sure create broader platforms for bilateral cultural engagement,” Ambassador Yao said. He said the partnership between the two countries has gained new dimensions and the two sides reached important consensus on international and regional issues including cooperation on multilateral occasions, regional connectivity, and the Rohingya issue. The envoy said both countries agreed to coordinate positions and enhance collaboration in the UN and other multilateral forums. “This demonstrates that China-Bangladesh cooperation now extends beyond bilateral scope. The two sides are committed to jointly upholding world peace and stability, protecting developing countries' shared interests, and safeguarding international fairness and justice,” he said. He said China is accelerating the process of importing fresh Bangladeshi mangoes and the trade is expected to kick off this May. 60% cancer patients directly involved in agriculture: Adviser Farida “China also plans to import Bangladeshi guavas, jackfruits, and aquatic products. We have sent the inspection and quarantine requirements to the relevant Bangladeshi authorities for their response,” the envoy said. He said the interim government recently approved the modernization and expansion project of Mongla Port. China looks forward to Bangladesh expediting remaining domestic procedures to facilitate the early signing of the commercial contract, Ambassador Yao said. The Ambassador said the mutually-beneficial trade achieved new breakthroughs and the zero-tariff treatment for 100% of Bangladeshi taxable products exported to China has come into effect since December 1 last year. China pledged to consider providing Bangladesh with a transitional preferential treatment period, supporting its smooth graduation from the least developed country status. “We are ready to enhance communication and consultation, strengthen development cooperation under the Belt and Road framework, advance major landmark projects as well as "small and beautiful" livelihood initiatives, so as to further consolidate traditional cooperation, explore emerging fields, and elevate mutually beneficial cooperation to new levels,” he said.  

Wishing stability and unity in Bangladesh, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said the issues related to reforms are the internal matters of Bangladesh and wished to see a smooth process of reforms and elections. "As for reforms, I can tell you it is truly an internal matter of Bangladesh," he said responding to a question during a media briefing at the Embassy in the afternoon, wishing that it would be supported by all segments of political parties. As a friend of Bangladesh, Ambassador Yao said, they want to see that Bangladesh maintains "stability, unity and development" in Bangladesh. "China firmly supports Bangladesh in upholding national independence, sovereignty and dignity. We respect the Bangladeshi people in choosing the development path suited to the national conditions," said the Ambassador. Bhutan seeks joint venture with Bangladesh on hydropower: Envoy He said China stands ready to continue to help Bangladesh in social and economic development. Ambassador Yao highlighted the cooperation with Bangladesh in emerging fields such as digital economy, green economy, renewable energy, agriculture and AI. "China will also encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest and thrive in Bangladesh," Ambassador Yao said, adding that this year, Bangladesh and China will hold a series of celebratory activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He said China is ready to work with Bangladesh to make the 50th anniversary as a new starting point to carry forward our long-standing friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation and quality Belt and Road cooperation, so as to promote the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level and embark on the next golden 50 years of China-Bangladesh relations. Responding to a question on loans, the Ambassador said China never attaches any conditions, and there are many landmark projects in many areas. Bangladesh and China help each other always as two strategic partners, he said. Since the assumption of the interim government in August, the envoy said 30 Chinese enterprises have signed agreements to invest in Bangladesh. The total amount of the investment will be around 230 million US dollars, he added. The Ambassador said China is the largest investor in Bangladesh. He also mentioned that China will start importing mangoes and jackfruits from Bangladesh from May this year. EU wants Bangladesh to succeed in its transition from “autocracy to democracy” At the invitation of the Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain visited China from January 20 to 24. This visit was the first high-level meeting between China and Bangladesh this year, and also the first bilateral official visit of the Foreign Adviser since he took office, which is of great significance, said the Ambassador. During the visit, the Adviser had a friendly, in-depth and fruitful meeting with his Chinese Counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi. They exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual concern. He also met the heads of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and China International Development Cooperation Agency and visited Shanghai. Ambassador Yao said, from his perspective, this visit is of vital importance in the three aspects and first, this visit has sent a clear political signal of mutual support between Bangladesh and China, and offers an opportunity to consolidate and deepen the mutual trust and friendship between the two countries. Gaining sectoral dialogue partner status with ASEAN high on the agenda for Bangladesh "China and Bangladesh are good neighbours supporting each other and trusted partners pursuing shared development. Our bilateral relations have endured the evolution of the international situation and Bangladesh’s domestic changes, always advancing with strong momentum," he said. The fact that Adviser Hossain chose China for his first visit after taking office showcases the great importance the interim government has placed on the ties, said Ambassador Yao. During the visit, he said, both sides pledged to firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has reiterated his country’s non-intervention policy and said the future of Bangladesh should be determined by Bangladeshis. “Our policy is very consistent – that China never intervenes in any country’s internal affairs,” he told UNB in an exclusive interview. Ambassador Yao said the upcoming election is an internal affair of Bangladesh. China upholds Bangladesh’s efforts to fend off external interference and maintain domestic unity and stability, so as to ensure development and revitalization, said the ambassador referring to what the Chinese President Xi Jinping said during the Johannesburg meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, he elaborated referring to what President Xi said at the Johannesburg meeting. Read: Bangladesh's youth makes it 'vigorous' in Chinese eyes: Amb. Yao Wen “China is full of confidence over the better future of Bangladesh as well as China-Bangladesh relations,” said Ambassador Yao. Currently, over 600 Chinese enterprises are functioning in Bangladesh, and tens of thousands of Chinese citizens are living and working here, he said. According to Ambassador Yao, the Chinese companies proactively undertake social responsibilities on boosting local economy, protecting the environment, providing social services to host communities, helping create job opportunities, building capacity for manpower and promoting charity. “With their contribution and efforts, the hearts of the two peoples are brought together ever closer,” he said. Read: ‘China adheres to true multilateralism’: Ambassador Yao Wen When asked about the interests of Chinese companies and citizens in the context of heated political environment, Yao replied that the Chinese people are here for friendship and joint development with Bangladeshi people. “Their safety and security should surely be guaranteed, and their lawful interests should be protected,” he said. Bangladesh Election Commission is taking preparations for the next national election which is likely to be held in December this year or January next year. During his first interview since his arrival in Dhaka late last year, the Chinese ambassador touched upon issues related to trade and investment, Global Development Initiative, Belt and Road Initiative, people to people relations, and opportunities ahead. Read more: No limit to potential of Bangladesh-China ties: Ambassador Yao Wen

The newly-appointed Chinese ambassador in Dhaka has said there is no limit to the potential of Bangladesh-China relations. "Bangladesh and China are natural cooperation partners. Both are developing countries with huge populations. There is no unresolved dispute or historical burden between us," Ambassador Yao Wen said during a welcome reception held at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Monday night. More than 400 dignitaries from the Bangladeshi government, army, political parties, enterprises, universities, think tanks, media houses, foreign missions in Dhaka and the local Chinese community attended the event. Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman MP, and Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, secretary (west) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were present. Read more: China will remain engaged in Bangladesh’s next stage of development journey: Momen As close neighbours, the people of the two countries enjoy a natural sense of intimacy and similar ideas and values, said Yao, the 16th ambassador of China to Bangladesh. In the 1950s, Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited China twice, the envoy added. "He was so much impressed by what he witnessed in the journey and wrote the travelogue 'New China as I saw,' which infuses his kind and warm feeling towards China deep in the minds and hearts of Bangladeshi people." "China-Bangladesh cooperation improves the well-being of our two peoples. The cooperation on economy, trade and mega projects serves as the pillar of our bilateral relations," said Ambassador Yao, who landed in Dhaka two months ago. "A good number of roads, bridges, power plants, ports and other infrastructure projects have been completed, which have reshaped the landscape of Bangladesh, provided more than one million job opportunities, and promoted socio-economic development as well as people's livelihood in Bangladesh,” the envoy noted. Read more: ‘Some misunderstandings can hurt Bangladesh-China relations’ "China has embarked on a new journey towards a modern socialist country in all respects, while Bangladesh is striving with no effort spared for the splendid dream of 'Sonar Bangla' by working on the country's Vision 2041. Both countries have the same goals and similar visions," he added. "China-Bangladesh relations will set a good example for developing countries to understand, trust and support each other. The last three years were difficult for all of us due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," Ambassador Yao said. Since March, flights between China and Bangladesh have been operating daily, and there will be more high-level visits, people-to-people contact, economic, trade and investment cooperation, cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries, he promised. Read More: Bangladesh will have to maintain good relations with US, India and China: Momen