Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday expressed Beijing’s sincere hope for Bangladesh to hold a peaceful and successful general election, maintaining social stability and improving the livelihoods of its people.

"Democracy is not simply about participation in voting; it should be reflected throughout the entire process of national governance," he said, noting that Bangladesh is now standing at a crucial stage of democratic transition and national rejuvenation.

Speaking at a seminar at the Foreign Service Academy hosted by Association of Former Ambassadors (AOFA), Ambassador Yao said democracy finds its true meaning only when the people's aspirations are fully reflected in state governance.

"This process—from the expression of the people’s opinion, to decision-making, and to policy execution and oversight—should be infused into a system that safeguards fairness and justice and promotes the well-being of the people, which defines the soul and nature of China's whole-process people's democracy," he said.

Ambassador Yao said China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to uphold a people-centered development philosophy, carry forward the spirit of independence and self-reliance, and jointly explore a path to modernisation that suits their respective national realities and keeps pace with the trends of our times.

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President of the Association of Former Ambassadors (AOFA) Ambassador Abdullah Al-Hasan and General Secretary Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker also spoke.

The development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics conforms to China’s reality and ensures that the people run the country, said Ambassador Yao. 

Through the whole-process of people's democracy, the unity of broad participation and effective governance has been well achieved, he said.

As President Xi emphasised, whether a country is democratic or not depends on whether its people are truly running the country, the Ambassador said.

"Democracy is not merely a certain procedure, instead, it needs to guarantee that the people are masters of the country in practice," said Ambassador Yao.

China did not follow the old modernization path of Western countries, but found its own path with Chinese characteristics, he said.

Similarly, the envoy said, China did not duplicate the Western models of democracy, but has practiced it in its own way.

He said the two sides have consistently supported each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns.

The envoy said Bangladesh firmly upholds the one-China principle and supports China on matters concerning its core interests.

He said China has always respected Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and respected the Bangladeshi people’s choice of development path that is suited to its national conditions. "Practical cooperation has been an important pillar."

The Ambassador said Bangladesh is the first South Asian country to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Over the past nine years, the BRI has created nearly 600,000 jobs in Bangladesh and injected strong impetus into its economic and social development.

He said China has remained Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.

To support Bangladesh’s smooth graduation from the LDCs, the envoy said China has extended zero-tariff treatment for 100% of the taxable items of Bangladesh exporting to China until the end of 2028.