China ready to partner with Bangladesh for green growth: Ambassador Yao

Highlighting the importance of green development, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today (23 October) said China stands ready to work with all countries, including Bangladesh, to build a more open, inclusive and mutually beneficial global economy, so that the fruits of cooperation can benefit people around the world.

"Green development is the trend of our time, and win-win cooperation is our shared goal," he said while speaking at the opening ceremony of the "Bangladesh China Green Textile Expo" held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB).

The Ambassador said facts have proven that Bangladesh-China cooperation is not a zero-sum game, but a path toward shared prosperity.

"Our cooperation extends beyond trade figures to encompass improving people's livelihoods and sharing development experiences. It is also a vivid practice of the two peoples working together to pursue a better life," he said.

"Let us take this Expo as a new starting point to elevate our bilateral relations and open a new chapter of win-win cooperation and shared development," Ambassador Yao said.

Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC) Chairman Brigadier General SM Zahid Hassan, Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCCI) President Mohd Khorshed Alam and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Vice President Mijanur Rahman also spoke at the inaugural session.

It is the first Bangladesh-China Green Textile Expo which is seen as a new milestone in the bilateral economic cooperation.

This Expo, with the theme of 'Green Textile', carries special significance, said Ambassador Yao, noting that it showcases advanced achievements of Chinese enterprises in green textile materials and equipment, and brings together scholars and business leaders from both countries to discuss the future of the apparel industry.

He said China is ready to work with Bangladesh to promote green transformation in the textile industry, support the introduction of energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly materials and enhance Bangladesh's competitiveness in the global supply chain.

"This Expo is also a valuable opportunity for us to expand cooperation in textile machinery, digital printing, and smart manufacturing, and jointly build a sustainable green industrial chain," said Ambassador Yao.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China.

"Over the past five decades, under the strategic guidance of our leaders, China-Bangladesh relations have maintained steady growth, with win-win cooperation as its defining feature," said the Chinese envoy.

He said China has remained Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade exceeding 24 billion US dollars.

Since August last year, more than 20 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladesh, with intended investments totaling nearly 800 million US dollars, making China the largest investor since the formation of the interim government, the envoy said.

At the same time, he said, more and more Bangladeshi quality agricultural products are entering the Chinese market.

In May this year, the first consignment of fresh Bangladeshi mangoes was exported to China, and they are working actively to provide access for more products such as jackfruit and guava to enter the Chinese market.

"China highly values its partnership with Bangladesh. We have expanded market access with an open attitude, granted zero-tariff treatment to 100% of the taxable items of Bangladeshi products, and extended this policy to 2028," said Ambassador Yao.

He said the world today is undergoing profound changes and no country can develop without a fair, stable, and open international environment.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit, put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

The five core concepts of the GGI, namely, adhere to sovereign equality, abide by international law, practice multilateralism, advocate the people-centered approach, and focus on taking real actions, align with the purposes of the U.N. Charter and contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to improving global governance, said Ambassador Yao.

He said China solemnly proclaimed to the world a few days ago that, as a responsible major developing country, China will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO.

The envoy said this move stands as a testament to China's resolve to safeguard the multilateral trading system and advance relevant global initiatives, and also demonstrates China's confidence in promoting open cooperation.