Political unity, social stability need to be addressed in Bangladesh's governance journey: China

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today (3 August) said challenges such as maintaining "political unity and social stability" under complex circumstances, breaking through the bottleneck of a single-industry structure, and creating a more favourable external environment are important issues that need to be addressed in Bangladesh's governance journey.

Speaking at a joint training programme, he said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's people-centred, pragmatic, and efficient governing style has brought a fresh look to national governance.

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) hosted the joint training programme titled "2026 Comparative Governance Forum" at the BIISS Auditorium.

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir spoke as the chief guest while Vice-President of Fudan University Prof Chen Zhimin attended the opening ceremony of the joint training programme as special guest.

Director General of BIISS Major General Ridwanur Rahman also spoke.

The envoy said President Xi Jinping emphasised that no matter how the world changes, China will not waver in its commitment to the overall direction of China-Bangladesh friendly relations, and will always be a trustworthy good friend, good neighbour or and good partner of Bangladesh.

"This historic height has laid a solid foundation for the next "Golden Fifty Years" of China-Bangladesh relations," Ambassador Yao said.

The ambassador said both sides agreed to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and further align development strategies.

"Important consensus was reached on comprehensive management of the Teesta River, modernisation and expansion of Mongla Port facilities, and advancing the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor," he said.

The envoy said Bangladesh-China practical cooperation is steadily moving toward one with more optimised structure, broader scope, and at a higher level.

Exchanges on governance are an integral part of building a Bangladesh-China community with a shared future in the new era, he said.

Since taking office, Ambassador Yao said the new government has adhered to a development-oriented approach, focusing on improving people's livelihoods.

In June, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid an official visit to China.

The leaders of the two countries jointly agreed to elevate their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to jointly build a Bangladesh-China community with a shared future in the new era.

They also agreed to strengthen exchanges on governance experience.

"The visit was a complete success and marked a milestone in bilateral relations," said Ambassador Yao.

"Building a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era signifies that our relationship has transcended existing frameworks of cooperation and ascended to a new strategic height, with mutual trust, shared interests, and solidarity," he added.

The courses cover topics including the Chinese practice of modernising the national governance system and capacity, the four major global initiatives, and the Global South.

The courses have three features – a strong emphasis on practice; a strong emphasis on the spirit of the times and a strong emphasis on mutual learning.

The ambassador said exchanges on governance are precisely an important vehicle for Bangladesh and China to connect heart to heart.

He hoped that during this forum, each participant will learn with reflection​ – deeply consider the underlying logic behind Chinese Modernization, and in light of Bangladesh's national conditions, explore a development path suited to Bangladesh.

"Learn with gains​ – acquire policy tools and practical methods in areas such as national governance, poverty reduction, and digital governance, contributing to Bangladesh's economic and social development," Ambassador Yao said.

"Learn with action​ – translate what you have learned into concrete actions to modernise Bangladesh's governance system and capacity, and become inheritors and builders of China-Bangladesh friendship," he said, wishing the Comparative Governance Forum a complete success.