Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has expressed China's interest in cooperating across various areas of disaster management, reaffirming the country’s readiness to assist Bangladesh in disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction efforts.

The ambassador made the remarks during a courtesy call on Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik at the Secretariat on Sunday.

The adviser welcomed the cooperation and described China as a key partner of Bangladesh’s disaster management initiatives.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the scope of bilateral cooperation in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, with emphasis on deepening the long-standing friendship between Bangladesh and China through enhanced collaboration in disaster management.

The adviser said that the establishment of a self-contained National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) has been initiated to centrally coordinate disaster management activities.

"Its activities will start soon with the financial and technical assistance of the Chinese government. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between the two countries."

He also sought the cooperation of the Chinese government in disaster management, especially in emergency disaster situations, for the construction of two more regional National Emergency Operation Centers (NEOC) cum warehouses in Chattogram and Sylhet for disaster management and storage and supply of relief materials.

The meeting concluded with both sides stressing the importance of mutual cooperation, training, and exchange of experience in the field of disaster management between the two nations.

Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md. Mostafizur Rahman, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy Ge Xiaofeng, Third Secretary Bai Zhaxi, and other senior officials of the ministry were also present.