Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday expressed his optimism that the newly launched Center for China Studies will anchor itself in Bangladesh, adopt a South Asia-centric approach and have a global outlook.

"We envision the Center for China Studies as a bridge connecting China and Bangladesh, South Asia and the world, making substantive contributions to mutual understanding, cooperation, and peaceful development," he said.

At the launching ceremony of the Center for China Studies of Dhaka University, Prof. Dr. A. S. M. Maksud Kamal, Vice Chancellor of University of Dhaka, Vice Chairman of the Academic Board of the Center for China Studies, Chen Dongxiao, President of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Chairman of the Academic Board of the Center for China Studies, and representatives from Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, East China Normal University, Yunnan University, Tongji University were present.

More than 400 people from the Bangladeshi government, political parties, universities, enterprises, media and international organizations, as well as Chinese representatives participated.

The Ambassador extended warm congratulations on the establishment of the Center for China Studies and said that the establishment of the Center for China Studies is the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during their bilateral meeting in Johannesburg last August.

"It represents the latest achievement in the collaboration between China and Bangladesh in education, academic research, and people-to-people exchanges, while also symbolizing the deepening friendship between our two nations," he said.

Ambassador Yao said the Center is of pioneering significance, which will further promote the academic circles of the two countries to strengthen mutual understanding,facilitate joint study and exploration of bilateral, regional, and global affairs, strengthen people-to-people ties, and amplify cultural exchange, thereby enhancing bilateral relations.

Prof Maksud Kamal said the establishment of the Center for China Studies is not only an affirmation of the profound friendship between Bangladesh and China, but also an important milestone in the educational and academic exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

He said the Center will provide a valuable platform for Bangladeshi scholars to gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture, history and society, which is of great significance for Bangladesh to realize “Smart Bangladesh” and “Vision 2041”.

"It is hoped that the Center could become an important base for promoting China study and international cooperation in South Asia and even globally," he added.

Chen Dongxiao said economic and social development is an important task for Bangladesh, and the core mission of the Center for China Studies is to promote economic and social cooperation and experience exchanges between China and Bangladesh.

"It is hoped that China and Bangladesh could make joint efforts to build the Center into a high-level, high-standard and open platform for cultural and people-to-people exchanges, so as to promote China-Bangladesh economic and social development cooperation, and people-to-people bonds, making it a core base for China studies with influence in South Asia and Southeast Asia, and becoming a leading research institution with global influence," he said.