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.

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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.

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“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.