foreign-affairs
Unlocking Chinese Heritage: Foreign Journalists in China experience art of seal cutting
Foreign journalists from the Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Arab, Central, and Eastern Europe regions gained hands-on experience with Chinese seal cutting, a unique form of Chinese art.
Originated in China and later spreading across East Asia, seal cutting, also known as seal engraving refers to cutting a design into the bottom face of the seal.
China International Press Communication Centre, an initiative of the China Public Diplomacy Association, organised a programme 'Introduction to the Traditional Culture' in Beijing.
In 2009, Chinese seal cutting was inscribed on the list of world intangible cultural heritage.
Chanthey Roeurn, a Combodian journalist who is the Editor in chief of Economic and Business of DAP news, told UNB that he had no experience in this field, but he found the activity so enjoyable.
Brazilian FM to visit Bangladesh on April 7-8; 4 cooperation documents likely to be signed
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on April 7-8 to further strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday confirmed the visit of his Brazilian counterpart.
He said there is a possibility of signing an agreement on technical assistance and three MoUs on sports, agriculture, and defence during the visit of the Brazilian Foreign Minister.
Hasan described the visit of the Foreign Minister of Brazil as very significant.
He said a large business delegation of 24 members will accompany the Foreign Minister.
"Our FBCCI will meet with them. We import edible oil and other products from Brazil. Our exports to South America remain largely unexplored," he said.
Hasan said Brazil is a big country, and their purchasing power is also high. "So there is a great opportunity to increase trade relations with them."
During the visit, the Brazilian Foreign Minister will have a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan.
The government of Brazil earlier congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her recent election victory.
Brazil expressed its willingness to continue deepening relations with Bangladesh, in favour of the development of both countries, the promotion of South-South cooperation, and the fight against poverty, hunger, and climate crisis.
Brazil-Bangladesh diplomatic relations, established in 1972, have strengthened in recent years.
In 2023, President Lula and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa.
Last year, bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Brazil reached the US$2.3 billion mark.
In letter to Mahmoud Abbas, PM Hasina pledges continued support for Palestine's UN membership and sovereignty
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has written to President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas and reiterated her pledge to support his endeavors in obtaining full membership of Palestine in the United Nations through advocacy in all international forums and beyond.
"I restate our call for a long term ceasefire and urge all concerned to exercise restraint to protect civilian lives and infrastructure," PM Hasina said in her recent letter.
Bangladesh calls for digital alliance to counter disinformation against Palestine at OIC session
Upholding justice, peace and harmony is a core teaching of Islam and all great religions, Hasina said, adding that it is what Bangladesh considers an antidote to all conflicts and sufferings.
She conveyed her sincerest condolences to the government and the people of Palestine for the tragic loss of innocent lives including children, women and men during Israel's unabated genocide in Gaza since October 2023.
Israel’s occupation of Palestine: What Bangladesh said at ICJ hearing
"I acknowledge the receipt of your letter addressed to me delivered through your envoy and General Secretary of Fatah Central Committee on 19 March 2024. I am aware of the Israeli Prime Minister's ‘Day After’ post war plan for Gaza and endorse your grave concerns over it," Hasina said.
The plan is in contempt of the rights of the Palestinian people and violates the International Law and Accords, the letter reads.
ICJ should work to achieve its goal: Palestine Ambassador
"It is disappointing to see that the plan fails to provide any tangible pathway to this protracted conflict. Rather, it aims at suppressing the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinians in Gaza while perpetuating Israeli control over the land," Hasina said in her letter.
In this context, she reiterated Bangladesh’s firm position that it is dead against any Israeli plan for reoccupation of any part of Gaza. No expulsion of the Gazans from their own territory, no reduction of the Gaza territory, no restriction on UNRWA's ability to implement its mandate, and no rejection of Palestinian rights to a separate and independent state alongside Israel, the letter says.
"We also hold that military means are not a solution to this conflict. Building on the UN Security Council Resolutions and the International Court of Justice order, it is time to implement a credible process to resolve the ongoing crisis, which could only be achieved through a two-state solution with Palestinians and Israelites living side by side," the letter reads.
As a nation which has suffered occupation, and genocide, Hasina said, Bangladesh truly feels the plight of the occupied and persecuted Palestinians.
"Thus, we extend our full solidarity with the people of Palestine on international platforms, condemning the Israeli occupation and advocating for a just resolution based on international law," the Prime Minister said.
"As Muslim brothers, we would continue to remain committed and steadfast in our support to your legitimate aspiration for independent statehood along 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," she added.
Dhaka, Beijing exchange feasibility study reports on FTA; negotiations to begin soon: Ambassador Yao Wen
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today said Bangladesh and China have exchanged the feasibility study reports on free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries last week, which he sees as a major development in Dhaka-Beijing economic and trade cooperation.
"We are committed to concluding the feasibility study reports as early as possible within this year, and will officially launch the negotiations soon afterwards," he said.
The Chinese Ambassador was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of 2024 Chinese government training programs at the Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday evening.
Ambassador Yao said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh successfully held the general election as scheduled.
"It’s my conviction that under the strong and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will be stronger, more united, more prosperous and more resilient in the next five years, which will also guarantee the continuous improvement and upgrading of China-Bangladesh cooperation," he said.
Both China and Bangladesh are at a critical stage of development and revitalization. On the road to modernization, China has been and will always be Bangladesh's most reliable partner and trustworthy friend, the envoy said. China and Bangladesh have set a good example of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, he added.
"As the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, I am pleased to see that China has deeply participated and played an important role in Bangladesh's economic and social development," he said.
The two countries have also seen significant progress in many mega projects.
The Installation of Single Point Mooring with Double Pipe Line Project and the Bhanga-Rupdia Section of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project have been successfully put into trial operation, said the envoy.
Cox’s Bazar Wind Power Project, S. Alam Coal Fired Power Plant and Barishal Power Plant have started generating electricity.
Construction of the Waste to Energy Power Plant Project in North Dhaka, Rajshahi Surface Water Treatment Plant and the China-Aid Project of Burn Unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital will all start this year.
"It is expected that Bangladeshi mangoes will be exported to China this year. Luban Workshop, a model of international cooperation in China's vocational education, is expected to be set up in Bangladesh this year," he said.
More direct flights from Dhaka to Beijing will start very soon, Ambassador Yao said.
Last week, he said, the Center for China Studies of Dhaka University was launched, which will promote the academic circles of the two countries in conducting joint study and exploration of bilateral, regional, and global affairs, strengthening people-to-people exchange.
Last August, President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.
The two leaders reached a consensus that the two countries need to strengthen personnel exchanges and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, which has injected vigor and vitality into the development of bilateral relations.
Bangladeshi officials at all levels, experts and scholars from all circles play a vital role in this process.
"It is my firm conviction that the prospect of China and Bangladesh relations will be even brighter with your participation and dedication. May you all be outstanding ambassadors of China-Bangladesh friendship," Ambassador Yao said.
Md. Anwar Hossain, Additional Secretary, Wing Chief of ERD, Ministry of Finance and Md. Hasan Sarwar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, also spoke at the event at the Chinese Embassy.
The Chinese government training programs are important platforms for China-Bangladesh economic and social development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, which have trained more than 5,500 government officials and experts for Bangladesh so far.
The training programs have tremendously supported the practical cooperation between China and Bangladesh and achieved the goal of mutual learning and enhancing the expertise and capacities of those trainees.
This year, with support from the Chinese government, the number of training programs and personnel provided by the Chinese government to Bangladesh has reached a new high, with the total number of trainees exceeding 500.
The number of bilateral seminars reaches 19, ranking first in the world, covering such areas as financial cooperation, investment promotion, exhibition organization, agricultural product processing, customs on-site supervision, water project and railway construction, Chinese language teaching, sports and media, etc.
Among them, two bilateral seminars, emergency rescue and information telecommunication, will be held in April. "It is expected that all training programs will be completed by the end of October. I believe that with the joint efforts of all departments of the Bangladeshi government present here, we will surely be able to wrap up this year's training programs successfully," said Ambassador Yao.
New Zealand eyes increased engagement with South Asia: Envoy tells Hasan Mahmud
High Commissioner of New Zealand to Bangladesh (resident in New Delhi) David Pine on Wednesday said the new government of New Zealand (NZ) has identified the South Asian region to increase its engagement in future.
During his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the High Commissioner also said the government of New Zealand is going to shift the accreditation of its non-resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh from New Delhi to Colombo from next month which will enable him to closely work with Bangladesh from Colombo in different sectors.
The envoy showed interest of NZ to import mangoes from Bangladesh and informed that the Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh is working on it.
The Foreign Minister welcomed High Commissioner Pine and acknowledged New Zealand as one of the few first countries that recognised Bangladesh soon after the independence in 1971.
He thanked New Zealand for providing duty free market access to Bangladesh since 2001.
The Foreign Minister said there is potential of expanding the existing bilateral trade of US$ 513 by diversifying the export basket.
He suggested that New Zealand may think of investing in Bangladesh’s livestock sector for milk and dairy products, IT and agriculture sector.
The Foreign Minister emphasised on the IT sector where NZ can invest and reexport the products to widen the trade volume.
High Commissioner Pine appreciated the rise of Bangladesh economy which is doing well now a days.
He expressed his satisfaction to see how Bangladesh has bounced back from covid stronger than any other country in the world.
The Foreign Minister said repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar may not be possible without joint international pressure.
As a friendly country, Bangladesh seeks New Zealand’s solid support for international accountability for repatriation, he said.
The two sides also highlighted the importance of high-level visits to boost the existing bilateral relations.
High Commissioner Pine invited the Foreign Minister to visit New Zealand at a convenient time this year.
China pledges increased investment and support for Bangladesh's development goals
On Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen affirmed China's commitment to fostering greater investment by Chinese companies in Bangladesh and enhancing bilateral relations.
In discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban in Dhaka, Ambassador Yao stressed the importance of bolstering people-to-people exchanges and aiding Bangladesh's increased involvement in international and regional arenas.
This support aims to accelerate Bangladesh's journey towards realizing its "Vision 2041" and achieving a "Smart Bangladesh."
The Chinese Ambassador also addressed various mutual concerns, including global issues and the repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, highlighting the deepening strategic partnership and practical cooperation between China and Bangladesh across multiple sectors. These collaborative efforts have yielded substantial benefits for the citizens of both nations.
Ambassador Yao underscored the pivotal juncture at which both China and Bangladesh stand in their respective quests for development and revitalization.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by the current international climate and expressed China's readiness to share governance experiences and further consolidate comprehensive cooperation with Bangladesh.
The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka cited the Ambassador as reiterating the continuous enrichment of the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation under the guidance and encouragement of both countries' leaders, leading to significant and beneficial outcomes in diverse areas of collaboration.
Realising the right to health for all means creating conditions where everyone, everywhere can access high quality health facilities: Saima Wazed
Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region, Saima Wazed, has said to fulfill the right to health, both health services and the underlying determinants should be available, accessible, acceptable and of adequate quality.
“Realising the right to health for all means creating conditions where everyone, everywhere can access high quality health facilities, services and goods that prioritize people’s needs, understanding and dignity,” she said in a statement ahead of the World Health Day.
It also means a full set of rights that enable people to live healthily, such as education, safe water and food, nutritious food, adequate housing, good working and environmental conditions and information—or the underlying determinants of health, Saima said.
The right to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health—or, the right to health has been core to WHO’s mission, globally and in the region. It is enshrined in WHO’s constitution, according to a message received from New Delhi on Wednesday.
On World Health Day, celebrated on April 7 to mark the foundation of the World Health Organization, the spotlight this year is on ‘My Health, My Right’, as in a world witnessing multiple crises, from diseases to disasters to conflicts and climate change, realising people’s right to health is now more important than ever.
As WHO marks its seventy-sixth year on April 7, the South-East Asia Region has seen many gains and has much to celebrate with regard to the right to health.
The Universal Health Coverage service coverage index has improved from 47 in 2010 to 62 in 2021.
The average density of medical doctors, nurses and midwives in the region stands at 28.05 per 10,000 population, up by 30.5% since 2015.
The region achieved a 68.5% reduction in the maternal mortality ratio between 2000 and 2020. Under-five mortality rate declined significantly from 84 per 1000 live births in 2000 to 29 per 1000 live births in 2021 and the neonatal mortality rate from 41 per 1000 live births in 2000 to 17 per 1000 live births in 2021. Between 2015 and 2021 new HIV infections declined by 25% and malaria incidence by 62%.
“However, despite progress, we still have a considerable way to go to make the right to health a reality for all in the WHO South-East Asia Region,” the Regional Director said.
Despite global commitments to the right to health, nearly 40% of the region’s people lack coverage by essential health services. Investment in health by national governments, which is the foundation of advancing the right to health, is unacceptably low, which has resulted in high out-of-pocket expenditure.
The proportion of households experiencing financial hardship in accessing basic health care has been rising.
TB mortality rate in the Region increased by 8.6% in 2021 compared to 2015.
The probability of death between the ages of 30 and 70 years from four major diseases - cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases - is still unacceptably high at 21.6%.
The poorest and groups with vulnerabilities face the greatest barriers in accessing needed healthcare, often with catastrophic consequences for their health and wellbeing.
Poor quality care accounts for more disease and deaths than lack of access to care.
The Regional Director said gender inequality affects equitable access to diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable health conditions.
For example, compared with men, a higher proportion of women with raised blood glucose go untreated. This diagnosis and treatment gap is also seen for hypertension.
Violence against women and girls—a violation of their human rights and a priority public health issue—remains pervasive.
More than one in every three women in the region have experienced intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime, with rural and uneducated women and those from the poorest households facing a significantly higher risk, she said.
Too many still face stigma related to certain health conditions, such as TB, HIV/AIDS, disability or mental ill-heath.
They also face discrimination in the health system based on their gender, class, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or other characteristics, the Regional Director said.
Equality and non-discrimination are core to a human rights-based approach to health.
A human rights-based approach also entails adherence to the principle of participation: for example, by ensuring that those most affected by certain health conditions or health policies and decisions have a say in how these decisions are made, Saima said.
Accountability is also integral to a human rights-based approach: for example, reporting back to affected groups and communities about the performance of the health system or health programmes to address their needs, she said.
All governments and other duty-bearers have the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health and other human rights and to ensure their progressive realization.
Governments need to increase investments in health—especially to advance universal health coverage grounded in the primary healthcare approach, she said.
Good laws can lay the foundation for more effective tobacco control, environmental protection, better nutrition, control of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, fair and equal working conditions, and much more. Health services need to be made more available, accessible acceptable and of better quality for all, Saima said.
WHO is committed to advancing the right to health and other human rights. “Let’s make the right to health a reality for all,” the Regional Director said.
Visiting British peer calls on foreign minister
Lord Purvis of Tweed, Liberal Democrat working peer and Foreign Affairs front bench spokesperson at the UK's House of Lords, on Tuesday underscored the opportunity of enhancing exports from Bangladesh to the UK, particularly certified safe and organic food from Bangladesh to the UK.
He met Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at the latter’s office. The Foreign Minister warmly welcomed the Lord of Tweed on his maiden visit to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh will send back 180 Myanmar nationals, including BGP and army personnel: Foreign Minister
Terming the Bangladesh-UK bilateral relations as profound, the Foreign Minister recalled the historic 8 January 1972 visit to London by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his way to independent Bangladesh from the captivity in Pakistan and expressed gratitude to the UK government and people for their unwavering support to Bangladesh’s independence.
Foreign Minister for concluding PTA with Indonesia
He referred to the tremendous socio-economic transformation of Bangladesh over the last fifteen years under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and in this connection, acknowledged UK’s development assistance and cooperation to Bangladesh’s graduation to a developing nation.
Lord Purvis of Tweed thanked the Foreign Minister for his warm welcome and informed him about his visit to Cox’s Bazar to see VSO operations in Ukhiya and Ramu.
The Minister was also apprised of VSO activities in Bangladesh over the last 50 years with a total of 100,000 volunteers covering areas inter-alia climate change adaptation, awareness against child marriage, girls’ education advancement, community health with the support from the UK FCDO.
The Foreign Minister and Lord Purvis shared the contribution of British-Bangladeshi Diaspora, currently the 3rd largest ethnic Diaspora in the UK, to the economies of both the countries.
Lord Purvis also added that he had been advocating a continued scaling up of support from the UK to resolve the protracted Rohingya crisis.
Foreign Minister advocates for continued focus on climate-induced displacement
Both sides shared views on the war in Gaza and indiscriminate killing of civilians there and underscored the importance of the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict for a just and lasting solution and enduring peace in the region.
Bangladesh will send back 180 Myanmar nationals, including BGP and army personnel: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said Bangladesh would send back 180 Myanmar nationals, including members of Border Guard Police and army personnel of Myanmar, who have taken refuge in Bangladesh.
Apart from that, he said, steps are being taken to bring home 170 Bangladeshis trapped in Myanmar.
Foreign Minister for concluding PTA with Indonesia
The Foreign Minister came up with the updates while talking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said 177 members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) and later three of their army personnel have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
"The Myanmar government has agreed to take them back following a discussion with us," Hasan said.
Foreign Minister advocates for continued focus on climate-induced displacement
They preferred the sea route while Bangladesh was hoping to send them back this week.
"As the sea is not favorable at this moment, they will be sent back next week or as soon as the sea is calmer," Hasan said.
Besides, Bangladesh proposed Myanmar to return 170 Bangladeshis trapped in Myanmar.
The Myanmar side also responded positively to that proposal, Hasan said.
Asked about the international response to the Joint Response Plan (JRP) meeting held in Geneva on March 13 to deal with the Rohingya crisis, the Foreign Minister said the foreign secretary and the prime minister's principal secretary attended the JRP meeting in Switzerland
There’s fear that Buet might become a ‘hub of militancy’: Foreign Minister
"Response to our proposed funding and cooperation is better than last year," Hasan said.
'BNP talks so much to cover up corruption in their era'
When a journalist referred to BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi who is accusing Awami League of corruption, the Awami League Joint General Secretary said the FBI has testified against the corruption and money-laundering of the acting chairman of BNP and the smuggled money of his younger brother, Koko, has been recovered from Singapore.
"Not only that, the country was champion in corruption in the world five times in a row while they were in power. They talk so much to cover this up," Hasan said.
The minister said the “competition” between leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Rizvi and Moyeen Khan is another reason for these unrealistic remarks from BNP.
"Rizvi's speech is so vulgar and unrealistic that it seems he needs treatment for mental imbalance," Hasan said.
Bangladesh has pioneered autism awareness in South Asia: Ambassador says at Autism Day event in Yangon
Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Dr. Md. Monwar Hossain on Tuesday said Bangladesh played a pioneering role, led by Saima Wazed, the current Regional Director of WHO-South East Asia region and Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Neuro Development Disorder & Autism in Bangladesh, in raising awareness in South Asia.
He was speaking at a seminar organized by the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) 2024.
With the relentless efforts of Wazed, Bangladesh hosted the first international conference on Autism in Dhaka in 2011 and supported the 2nd one held in Thimphu in 2017.
The Ambassador mentioned that the government of Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been implementing various measures for the welfare of people with autism and disabilities in the country, including enacting necessary acts and rules.
He also profoundly applauded the active role of Wazed in raising awareness about autism across the world, including at the UN in the past decade.
While mentioning this year’s theme which is ‘Moving from surviving to thriving’, the ambassador highlighted the importance of relevant SDG goals, namely, health and wellbeing (goal 3), quality education (goal 4), inclusive opportunities in the job market (goal 8) and reducing inequalities (goal 10) for the growth of the people with disabilities, including autism.
Representatives of Swedish mission, WHO, Myanmar Special Education Association and a parent also spoke on the occasion.
The speakers discussed the necessity of early detection and intervention, countering stigmatization and discrimination and the need for supporting the caregivers and parents while addressing the challenges of autism, according to a message received from Yangon.
Diplomats, representatives of UN organizations, including WHO and UNICEF, academics, civil society representatives, NGOs working with special child research institutions, officials of the embassy, representatives of Bangladesh community in Myanmar, representatives of autism association, teachers of special schools, special children and their parents were present.
Program of the day included key note presentation by the Bangladesh Ambassador on “World Autism Awareness Day 2024: From Surviving to Thriving”, screening of video documentary remarks by the attendees and question/answer session.