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10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries around the World
In recent years, several earthquakes have devastated different parts of the globe. Earthquakes are caused by sudden movement along tectonic plates within the surface of earth. These movements release energy in the form of seismic waves that cause the earth's surface to shake. These geological events disrupt lives and economies, standing as stark reminders of the need for earthquake preparedness. Let's take a look at the top earthquake-prone countries across the world and understand their vulnerabilities.
The World's 10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries
Japan
Japan occupies a precarious position in the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc characterized by fault lines and volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean basin. This is the convergence of four tectonic plates: the Pacific, Philippine, Okhotsk, and Eurasian.
The primary reason behind Japan's seismic vulnerability is the collision and subduction of these tectonic slabs. The Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate, creating deep ocean trenches and mountain ranges.
Read more Earthquake Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.1, triggered a devastating tsunami, claiming around 19,759 lives. The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, measuring magnitude 7, caused about 273 fatalities.
Bangladeshi officials call for increased Belt and Road cooperation
Bangladeshi government officials on Friday called for increased cooperation under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which they said has brought great changes to the South Asian country.
They made the remarks when speaking at the opening ceremony of "The Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition 2023" held in the Bangladeshi capital, which marks the 10th anniversary of the Initiative.
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The BRI has already brought transformative changes to Bangladesh as "it has strengthened our role as a vital connector in regional trade network," Lokman Hossain Miah, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), supervised by the Prime Minister's Office, said at the ceremony attended by nearly 400 representatives of Chinese and Bangladeshi enterprises.
"Active participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative is central to the two countries' relationship," he added, noting brighter prospects for the China-Bangladesh relationship, with trade and investment cooperation being a strong pillar.
"Our participation in the Belt and Road Initiative is a testament to our shared commitment. So, let us see this moment, harness the opportunities it presents and work together to build a more prosperous and interconnected world," said Miah, also a senior secretary of the Bangladeshi government.
Under the BRI, he said Bangladesh has implemented mega projects like the Padma Bridge Rail link, the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, South Asia's largest sewage treatment plant, numerous power projects, and the Bangabandhu Bangladesh China-Friendship Exhibition Center.
Addressing the ceremony, A.H.M. Ahsan, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Bangladesh's Export Promotion Bureau, said the BRI put forward 10 years ago is "a visionary project aimed at revitalizing the connectivity among Asia, Europe and Africa."
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"Over the past decade, we have witnessed the transformative impact of the BRI on global trade and investment with Bangladesh being an enthusiastic participant in this journey," he noted.
Given Bangladesh's strategic location as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia, he said, "Our nation has been a natural partner."
Bangladesh and China possess immense untapped potential for further collaboration, he said, noting, "China stands as Bangladesh's top trading partner, a leading source of direct foreign investment and a significant source of raw material for our manufacturing industries."
"We must continue to work together to harness the opportunities presented by the BRI, ensuring that the benefits are widespread and sustainable for both nations. As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the BRI, let us reaffirm our commitment to this remarkable journey of cooperation and partnership," he said.
Md Anwar Hossain, additional secretary and wing chief of the Bangladeshi government's Economic Relations Division under the Ministry of Finance, said, "The BRI presents an enormous potential to enhance our connectivity, unlock our economic potential and contribute to regional and global development."
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He further said that Bangladesh recognized the BRI as a model for international cooperation and a source of new opportunities for regional connectivity and economic integration.
"We see the BRI as a valuable means to address our infrastructure deficit, boost industrialization, create jobs and enhance quality of life for our citizens," the official said.
Charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh Yan Hualong told the opening ceremony in a keynote speech that China will always be a trustworthy neighbor, close friend and cooperative partner of Bangladesh on its journey of modernization.
China will continue to encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh and promote the steady and long-term development of China-Bangladesh economic and trade relations, said Yan.
"I believe that, under the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Bangladesh relations will surely reach a new height and open a new era of friendly cooperation," Yan stressed.
The exhibition, jointly organized by the Chinese embassy, Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh, demonstrates the achievements of BRI cooperation in Bangladesh. Its sideline events include workshops with Bangladeshi government departments, business forums and meetings, and job fairs.
‘China Festival on TV Screen’ celebrated
An event titled 'China Festival on the TV Screen' on the China-related programs in the mass media of Bangladesh was held in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Organized by China Media Group (CMG), Confucius Institute of Dhaka University and Deepto TV at the auditorium of Dhaka University's Institute of Modern Languages, the event was attended by State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid as the chief guest and Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh Yan Hualong as the special guest.
Read: 'Food, fertilizer, fuel...and Rohingyas': Dhaka on possible agenda for meeting with Lavrov
Expressing his fascination with China's socio-economic development, the state minister said the once unknown and mysterious China has now become one of top development partners of Bangladesh.
He said, "I’ve visited many countries of the world. A few days ago I went to China on an official tour. But I was truly impressed and overwhelmed by the beauty of China. They have decorated the country like a dream. Apart from the natural beauty, the law and order situation and the manners, etiquette and punctuality of the people impressed me.”
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The state minister said more programs like the ones organized by CMG would create more interest in cultural exchange between the two countries.
Charge the Affairs Yan Hualong in his speech encouraged the youth of Bangladesh to go to China to learn Chinese language, study or work.
He said culture and education can bring the hearts of the peoples of two countries together and their friendship can foster closer relations between the two countries.
Referring to the agreement between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a meeting in South Africa last month to enhance cooperation in the cultural and educational fields, besides the infrastructure, agriculture and industrial sectors, he said both countries are working towards that end.
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Besides CMG-produced programs broadcast in the media of Bangladesh, various aspects of China's vibrant culture, activities of the Confucius Institute and different projects under the Belt and Road Initiative were presented before the audience at the event, which also shed light on the activities of Chinese businesses operating in Bangladesh, said CMG Bangla in a press release.
Chinese drama series 'Rahasyamoyi' aired on Deepto TV was specially highlighted at the event while some of the dubbing artistes of the drama were introduced, who shared their experiences with the audience.
Dubbed in Bengali, the drama has gained popularity in Bangladesh, according to the organizers.
Confucius Institute Director DrYang Hui, Deepto TV Chief Executive Officer Fuad Chowdhury, Bangladesh project chief of China Railway Shi Yuan, Bangladesh project chief of China Communications Construction Company Pang Ming and Bangladesh project head of New Hope Group He QuanShui also joined the event as guests. Director of Bengali Department of CMG Yu Guang Yue Anandi gave the concluding speech.
Read: French President Macron to arrive on September 10 to "deepen" ties with Bangladesh
At the event, a new YouTube channel ‘Apon Entertainment’ was launched through cutting a cake. Chinese dramas, movies, cartoon films and documentary will be available on the channel.
Future of Bangladesh should be determined by Bangladeshis: Ambassador Yao reiterates China’s non-intervention policy
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
China hopes Bangladesh would make good use of preferential loans, GDI and South-South Cooperation Fund: Ambassador Yao
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, has said the Global Development Initiative (GDI), a twin sister of BRI, is aimed at supporting the timely achievement of all 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by revitalizing global development partnership and promoting stronger, greener and healthier global development.
“We hope that Bangladesh would make good use of China’s aid, preferential loans, and the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to actively carry out policy dialogue, experience sharing, capacity building and practical cooperation,” the envoy told UNB during his first interview since his arrival here late last year.
Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward GDI at the United Nations in 2021.
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The Global Development Initiative promotes international cooperation in eight priority areas, namely poverty alleviation, food security, pandemic response and vaccines, financing for development, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity in the digital-era, said the ambassador.
“All these are also the focus of Bangladesh in its Vision 2041 perspective plan,” he said.
According to the United Nations, over 100 countries and international organizations have expressed their support to the GDI and 68 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI at the UN.
In July, the first high-level meeting of the Global Action Forum for Shared Development was held in Beijing, with more than 800 guests from 158 countries and international organizations attending online and offline.
Minister of Planning MA Mannan took part in the event on behalf of Bangladesh.
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Priorities Ahead
Bangladesh and China will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025.
“It would be a perfect occasion to review achievements in the past and map forward for the future,” the ambassador said.
He promised that China would do its part to help Bangladesh graduate from the LDC status by 2026, and fuel joint development to achieve respective national dreams which are “well-connected”.
“Practical cooperation is the cornerstone of China-Bangladesh relations. While implementing projects agreed during high-level visits back in 2016 and 2019, we will take the initiative with Bangladesh to figure out more under the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative on connectivity infrastructure, renewable energy, blue economy, digital empowerment, so on and so forth,” said the Chinese envoy.
China to support Bangladesh in joining BRICS: XI tells Hasina during talks
In terms of trade, he said, local exporters are encouraged to fully leverage China’s 98 percent zero-tariff treatment for Bangladeshi products and showcase the “Made in Bangladesh” brand on expositions held in China, such as China International Import Expo, China-South Asia Expo and Canton Fair.
The Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram should eye high-end and high-value industries to serve the Smart Bangladesh development strategy as well as the high-quality development paradigm of China, he said.
“We’d encourage Chinese entrepreneurs to increase investment in promising fields like new energy, ICT, advanced manufacturing, and agri-product processing,” Ambassador Yao said, adding that he would also push forward the cooperation on disaster management and relief, military exchanges, law enforcement coordination and maritime cooperation during his tenure in Dhaka.
“Of course, as the Chinese ambassador, I’d play my role in mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar to facilitate early and sustainable repatriation of displaced people from the Rakhine State,” he said.
Producing Green Energy
Responding to a question, the envoy said China, a key contributor to the Paris Agreement, pledged to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and to reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
“By 2035, China will broadly establish eco-friendly ways of work and life, lower carbon emissions after reaching a peak, improve the environment and largely accomplish the goal of developing a ‘Beautiful China’,” he added.
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Bangladesh also faces critical challenges of environmental degradation and climate change.
“Fortunately, the country has become well aware of the gravity of these issues, and has taken plausible actions,” the Chinese envoy said, noting that the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) adopted in 2020 plays a key role in guiding the country’s development paradigm into the track of green transition by 2030.
“As Bangladesh and China converge on environmental goals, significant potentials emerge for the two countries to synergize on green development strategies, thereby building a shared human community in harmony with nature,” said Ambassador Yao.
“In fact, we’ve already kickstarted cooperation in this regard. When I visited Cox’s Bazar a few months ago, I saw photovoltaic panels of Chinese brand on top of many roofs. A wind farm project is also being built there by Chinese contractors,” he added.
Next Generation of Green Traffic
It was reported that Bangladesh had its first electric vehicle (EV) charging station installed in Dhaka earlier this month.
“I read it in the newspaper. But there are only 35 EV registered in Bangladesh for the time being. That is a negligible amount compared to the 170 million population of Bangladesh,” he said.
China is a key designer and manufacturer of EV. There are over 16 million EV and mixed-fuel vehicles running on the roads in China, and the number is still soaring.
“We would encourage more Chinese EV manufacturers to come to Bangladesh, explore the local market, and meet the demands of Bangladeshi people, thereby helping Bangladesh transit towards the next generation of green traffic,” said the ambassador.
China to support Bangladesh in joining BRICS: XI tells Hasina during talks
China will always stay beside Bangladesh in its needs that included supporting it in joining the BRICS and ensuring permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday (August 23, 2023) evening gave the assurance in a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Hotel Hilton Sandton here on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit.
The Chinese president also gave assurance of cooperation in making Bangladesh a developed, prosperous Sonar Bangla and taking initiative to quicken the signing of the Preferential-free Trade Agreement with Bangladesh and reducing the imbalance in China-Bangladesh trade.
Also read: Unhindered democracy spurs Bangladesh’s advancement: PM Hasina
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed reporters after the bilateral talks between the two leaders.
During the meeting, he said, both the leaders invited one another to visit their respective countries at their convenient time and they have agreed to this respect.
“I will always support you (Sheikh Hasina) as you can join the BRICS,” Momen quoted the Chinese president as saying l.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, Xi wants to resolve the Rohingya issue through tripartite engagement of China, Bangladesh and Myanmar and assured that they will always support Bangladesh to this end.
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“China will help Bangladesh in bringing a permanent solution to the Rohingya issue. ---we don’t want instability in the region,” he was quoted as saying by the foreign minister.
Bangladesh prime minister said that her government wants to repatriate Rohingyas to their homeland citing that they are becoming threats for the peace of the region as many of them are engaged in illegal drugs and arms trading.
Also read: PM Hasina reaches Johannesburg to attend BRICS summit
“Peace is imperative for development,” she said.
Xi also expressed his country’s keenness to help Bangladesh in the development of energy, renewable energy and infrastructure.
“China will help you materialise your dream to build a developed and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’ at the quickest possible time.”
Hasina also sought the Chinese president’s help in quick implementation of some Chinese funded projects which are now being stuck for fund crisis while the Chinese leader is assured of looking into the matters.
Read more: BRICS Summit 2023 unveils potential geopolitical paradigm shift: Modern Diplomacy
During the talks, the prime inister stressed the need for reducing the trade gap between Bangladesh and China citing that Bangladesh has currently imported Chinese goods worth about 20 billion US dollars every year while China imported Bangladeshi goods worth only 700 million US dollars.
The Chinese president in reply said they must address the issue and said that China has given duty and quota free access to 98 percent Bangladeshi products to the Chinese market.
Hasina said that the trade gap between Bangladesh and China will be reduced if some Chinese investments come to Bangladesh.
She also stressed the need for signing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries.
“We will take measures to quicken the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement between the countries,” Xi said in reply.
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Momen said that Bangladesh has expressed its eagerness to export fresh fruits such as mango, jackfruit, guava, fresh vegetables and cattle and poultry feeds to China.
The Chinese leader assured them that they must consider it, Momen said.
Bangladesh premier invited the Chinese President to visit Bangladesh to witness the opening of the Padma Rail Bridge to be held in October next.
In reply, the Chinese president said that he will definitely come to Bangladesh.
“But the time of visit will be fixed through talks between foreign ministers of both the countries.”
Read more: 2023 BRICS Summit: Lot of interest in how new members are chosen and which countries would be eligible
Xi Jingping also invited Bangladesh PM to visit China and in reply Sheikh Hasina said she will visit China.
“But it may take time as she will be busy with the election campaign as the national election is knocking the door, the foreign minister said.
Sheikh Hasina urged the Chinese President to widen the scope for Bangladeshi students to study in China while Xi assured of looking into the matter.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, PM's daughter and Thematic Ambassador of Climate Vulnerable Forum and Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed, PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Senior Secretary of Foreign Affairs Masud Bin Momen, were present in the meeting.
Read more: Developed countries should be happy that BRICS would like to help developing nations: Momen
BRICS: China, Russia and other emerging economies turn to main summit agenda in South Africa
Leaders of some of the developing world’s most important economies turned Wednesday to the main business of their summit in South Africa, a day after a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the gathering an anti-Western tinge that officials had been hoping to avoid.
The BRICS group of emerging economies made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are debating whether to expand their bloc and allow in new members more than a decade after it came into existence.
Read: BRICS Summit 2023 unveils potential geopolitical paradigm shift: Modern Diplomacy
More than 20 countries have formally applied to join the group, officials say, with Saudi Arabia one of the most significant.
Four of the bloc’s leaders are in Johannesburg for the group’s first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin is not attending after an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for him over the war in Ukraine complicated his travel to South Africa, but he was participating virtually.
The Russian leader used a 17-minute pre-recorded speech aired on the opening day of the summit on Tuesday to lambast the West over the war in Ukraine and the financial sanctions placed on Russia as punishment for its invasion.
Read: Russia, China look to advance agendas at BRICS summit of developing countries in South Africa
He said a critical deal allowing Ukraine to move grain out of its Black Sea ports that Russia halted last month would not be reinstated unless Russian conditions are met.
In the buildup to the three days of talks in Johannesburg, BRICS officials had pushed back at suggestions the bloc was taking an anti-Western turn under the influence of Russia and China. Putin’s address put the deteriorating geopolitical climate at the center of the gathering.
Xi added to that in a speech that was read out by a Chinese government minister and alluded to the U.S.-China economic friction and warned of the “abyss of a new Cold War.”
Xi, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa began talks over dinner at a luxury estate in suburban Johannesburg on Tuesday night, officials said, ahead of the summit’s main day of discussions on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov represented Russia in person, while Putin also participated in those dinner discussions virtually.
There appears to be momentum for expansion, with all five leaders backing the move in principle, although the exact criteria new members might need to meet to join must still be ironed out.
BRICS is a consensus-based organization and all five member countries must agree before any expansion.
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The bloc has sometimes failed to put into action any coherent policy, largely because of the disparate economic and political priorities of its members and the increasing rivalry between China and India - the globe’s most populous countries and the developing world’s economic powerhouses.
Alongside expansion, there’s also talk by the BRICS members of adopting a broad economic policy that seeks a move away from U.S. dollar-based trade within the bloc.
The group’s stated intention to move away from the world’s dominant currency won’t take down the dollar overnight — and it’s yet to see any concrete agreements to implement the idea.
According to calculations by Federal Reserve researchers, 96% of trade in the Americas from 1999 to 2019 was invoiced in dollars, and 74% of trade in Asia. Everywhere else outside Europe, 79% of trade was done in dollars, underlining its status as the world’s de facto currency.
Read: Russia's Putin attends BRICS summit in South Africa remotely while facing war crimes warrant
Still, the dominant dollar is one of a growing number of gripes in the developing world. Many in the Global South also view international institutions like the U.N., the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund as not serving their interests.
China and Russia are more than happy to take advantage of that sentiment for their own agendas, analysts say. But they also note that the fact that more than 20 developing-world countries have applied to join BRICS and at least another 20 have expressed interest shows some of the bloc’s talk of an unfair global setup has hit home with many.
“Whatever the achievements of the BRICS bloc, its very existence and the queue of developing economies trying to join show a much broader unhappiness in the Global South with the current global order,” said Cobus van Staden of the China Global South Project, which tracks China’s engagement with developing world countries. “Whether that unhappiness will cause them to rally around China is a different issue.”
US announces visa restrictions on Chinese officials over ‘forcible assimilation’ of Tibetan children
The United States has announced visa restrictions on Chinese officials for their alleged involvement in “forcible assimilation of more than one million Tibetan children” in government-run boarding schools.
The US state department made the announcement on Tuesday without providing any details or naming any officials.
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“These coercive policies (forcible assimilation) seek to eliminate Tibet’s distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions among younger generations of Tibetans,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Also read: BRICS Summit 2023 unveils potential geopolitical paradigm shift: Modern Diplomacy
He urged the Chinese government to cease “repressive assimilation policies”, both in Tibet and other parts of the country.
“We will continue to work with our allies and partners to highlight these actions and promote accountability,” Secretary of State Blinken said.
7th China-South Asia Expo kicks off in China's Yunnan
The seventh China-South Asia Expo kicked off Wednesday in Kunming.
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More than 30,000 exhibitors, representatives and guests from 85 countries and regions, and international organizations, are expected to attend both online and offline activities during the five-day expo.
Also read: China's Xi calls for measures to mitigate disastrous flooding amid economic slowdown
The expo, themed "Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development," has set up 15 exhibition halls featuring diverse themes including South Asia Pavilion, Southeast Asia Pavilion, resource-based economy pavilion, and port economy pavilion. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)
Claims of ‘concentration camps’ in China's Xinjiang baseless: Imam of largest mosque in region tells Bangladesh media delegation
Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in Xinjiang, China draws many tourists from home and abroad.
Located at the center of Kashgar Old City, the mosque is considered one of the local landmarks.
Kashgar was historically important for its position on the ancient Silk Road, officials said.
"The mosque can accommodate around 20,000 people during the two major religious celebrations," Imam of the mosque, Mohammad Jummah, told a visiting Bangladesh media delegation.
Muslims gather at the mosque each Friday for Jummah prayers, apart from the five regular prayers each day, he said.
Residents of Kashgar enjoy better life with the growing presence of religious tourists that boost their business, officials said.
Read: PM Hasina inaugurates 50 more model mosques
The Imam of the mosque trashed the claim that China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has "concentration camps," calling it baseless.
"We don't believe there are any kind of concentration camps. This is just a lie," Imam Mohammad Jummah said, adding that there was an "ulterior motive" behind what he says "such baseless claims and propaganda."
He also said, "I am 53 years old. I have never seen any accident or violence in my life."
Recently, envoys from 14 countries, including Brazil, Iran, Indonesia, Ecuador and Senegal, visited China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at the invitation of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read: Shat Gombuj Mosque abuzz with tourists