Bangladesh’s reforms are internal matters, says Chinese ambassador

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said the issues related to reforms are the internal matters of Bangladesh and wished to see stability, unity and development in the country.

"China maintains good relations with all political parties," the ambassador said while responding to a question during an interaction with the media at the Embassy in the afternoon.

Yao Wen 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.

He said Bangladesh and China help each other always as two strategic partners.

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.

"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.

He said China stands ready to continue to help Bangladesh in social and economic development.

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 January.

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.