Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has reiterated his country’s non-intervention policy and said the future of Bangladesh should be determined by Bangladeshis. “Our policy is very consistent – that China never intervenes in any country’s internal affairs,” he told UNB in an exclusive interview. Ambassador Yao said the upcoming election is an internal affair of Bangladesh. China upholds Bangladesh’s efforts to fend off external interference and maintain domestic unity and stability, so as to ensure development and revitalization, said the ambassador referring to what the Chinese President Xi Jinping said during the Johannesburg meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, he elaborated referring to what President Xi said at the Johannesburg meeting. Read: Bangladesh's youth makes it 'vigorous' in Chinese eyes: Amb. Yao Wen “China is full of confidence over the better future of Bangladesh as well as China-Bangladesh relations,” said Ambassador Yao. Currently, over 600 Chinese enterprises are functioning in Bangladesh, and tens of thousands of Chinese citizens are living and working here, he said. According to Ambassador Yao, the Chinese companies proactively undertake social responsibilities on boosting local economy, protecting the environment, providing social services to host communities, helping create job opportunities, building capacity for manpower and promoting charity. “With their contribution and efforts, the hearts of the two peoples are brought together ever closer,” he said. Read: ‘China adheres to true multilateralism’: Ambassador Yao Wen When asked about the interests of Chinese companies and citizens in the context of heated political environment, Yao replied that the Chinese people are here for friendship and joint development with Bangladeshi people. “Their safety and security should surely be guaranteed, and their lawful interests should be protected,” he said. Bangladesh Election Commission is taking preparations for the next national election which is likely to be held in December this year or January next year. During his first interview since his arrival in Dhaka late last year, the Chinese ambassador touched upon issues related to trade and investment, Global Development Initiative, Belt and Road Initiative, people to people relations, and opportunities ahead. Read more: No limit to potential of Bangladesh-China ties: Ambassador Yao Wen

The newly-appointed Chinese ambassador in Dhaka has said there is no limit to the potential of Bangladesh-China relations. "Bangladesh and China are natural cooperation partners. Both are developing countries with huge populations. There is no unresolved dispute or historical burden between us," Ambassador Yao Wen said during a welcome reception held at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Monday night. More than 400 dignitaries from the Bangladeshi government, army, political parties, enterprises, universities, think tanks, media houses, foreign missions in Dhaka and the local Chinese community attended the event. Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman MP, and Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, secretary (west) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were present. Read more: China will remain engaged in Bangladesh’s next stage of development journey: Momen As close neighbours, the people of the two countries enjoy a natural sense of intimacy and similar ideas and values, said Yao, the 16th ambassador of China to Bangladesh. In the 1950s, Bangladesh's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited China twice, the envoy added. "He was so much impressed by what he witnessed in the journey and wrote the travelogue 'New China as I saw,' which infuses his kind and warm feeling towards China deep in the minds and hearts of Bangladeshi people." "China-Bangladesh cooperation improves the well-being of our two peoples. The cooperation on economy, trade and mega projects serves as the pillar of our bilateral relations," said Ambassador Yao, who landed in Dhaka two months ago. "A good number of roads, bridges, power plants, ports and other infrastructure projects have been completed, which have reshaped the landscape of Bangladesh, provided more than one million job opportunities, and promoted socio-economic development as well as people's livelihood in Bangladesh,” the envoy noted. Read more: ‘Some misunderstandings can hurt Bangladesh-China relations’ "China has embarked on a new journey towards a modern socialist country in all respects, while Bangladesh is striving with no effort spared for the splendid dream of 'Sonar Bangla' by working on the country's Vision 2041. Both countries have the same goals and similar visions," he added. "China-Bangladesh relations will set a good example for developing countries to understand, trust and support each other. The last three years were difficult for all of us due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," Ambassador Yao said. Since March, flights between China and Bangladesh have been operating daily, and there will be more high-level visits, people-to-people contact, economic, trade and investment cooperation, cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries, he promised. Read More: Bangladesh will have to maintain good relations with US, India and China: Momen