Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday (October 11, 2023) said a certain foreign country claiming to be friend of Bangladesh is imposing unilateral visa restrictions on Bangladeshi people. Without naming the country the ambassador said they keep talking about human rights, democracy and free and fair elections in Bangladesh. Read: China to provide large-scale anti-dengue aid in a few days: Ambassador Yao His comments came amid controversy centering the US decision to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals. Washington, however, said it will not release the names or numbers of people in Bangladesh subject to the visa restrictions. Ambassador Yao reiterated that China does not meddle with the internal affairs pf other countries. “China never intervenes in internal affairs of other countries. Instead, we want to help Bangladesh make greater economic success and improve the livelihood of local people,” he told reporters after attending a programme, noting that a friend in need is a friend indeed. Read: Momen attending COM meeting of IORA in Colombo  “Who is the genuine friend of Bangladesh? The people have the say?” said the Chinese ambassador. The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh handed over 700 sets of dengue kits to Enam Medical College and Hospital, which would meet the demand of tests for over 18,000 people. Ambassador Yao said that President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government are "deeply concerned" on the dengue epidemic in Bangladesh and announced that China will provide 25 million RMB (USD 3.5 million) anti-dengue aid to Bangladesh. This marks only a starting point, and there will be more anti-dengue aid in larger scale coming from China in a few days, said the ambassador. "With our joint effort in mitigating the current dengue surge, the bond of friendship between the two countries and peoples would be further enhanced," said the ambassador. As a time-tested friend and strategic partner of Bangladesh, the envoy said, China is committed to working with Dhaka in addressing public health challenges, which was manifested by their joint fight against the Covid-19 pandemic over the past three years. Read: Padma Bridge Rail Link a landmark project under China's BRI: Ambassador Yao State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Dr Md. Enamur Rahman, and Chief Executive Officer of Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Anawarul Quader Nazim, among others, were present.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today (October 11, 2023) said that President Xi Jinping and and the Chinese government are "deeply concerned" on the dengue epidemic in Bangladesh and announced that China will provide 25 million RMB (USD 3.5 million) anti-dengue aid to Bangladesh. "Today, The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh is handing over 700 sets of Dengue kits to Enam Medical College and Hospital, which would meet the demand of tests for over 18,000 people," he said at the hospital in Savar. Also read: ‘China adheres to true multilateralism’: Ambassador Yao Wen This marks only a starting point, and there will be more anti-dengue aid in larger scale coming from China in a few days, said the ambassador. "With our joint effort in mitigating the current dengue surge, the bond of friendship between the two countries and peoples would be further enhanced," said Ambassador Yao. Also read: Future of Bangladesh should be determined by Bangladeshis: Ambassador Yao reiterates China’s non-intervention policy As a time-tested friend and strategic partner of Bangladesh, the envoy said, China is committed to working with Bangladesh in addressing public health challenges, which was manifested by their joint fight against the Covid-19 pandemic over the past three years. State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Dr Md. Enamur Rahman, and Chief Executive Officer of Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Anawarul Quader Nazim, among others, were present. Also read: No limit to potential of Bangladesh-China ties: Ambassador Yao Wen "This year by far, we have witnessed the severest dengue epidemic in Bangladesh’s history, causing grief to thousands of families while exerting unbearable pressure on the local hospital system," Ambassador Yao said. He expressed his deepest sympathy for those who died of the disease and his sincerest condolences to their family members. "I salute, with highest respect, the doctors and medical workers who have fought sleeplessly on the front for months. You have saved the lives of many. Your hard work is highly appreciated," he said. At this critical moment of combating dengue, China stands with Bangladesh like always, he said. Chinese President Xi Jinping met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August. President Xi emphasized that both China and Bangladesh are at a critical stage of their own development and revitalization, and the Chinese side stands ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Bangladesh, push bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, and better benefit the people of the two countries.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, China has decided to temporarily suspend entry into China by non-Chinese nationals in Bangladesh holding visas or residence permits still valid at the time of this announcement.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Wednesday hoped that the government of Bangladesh, together with the Chinese government, will continue to introduce effective policies and measures that are conducive to the battle against the epidemic and beneficial for work in mega projects.

China has called on Chittagong Customs to provide efficient customs clearance facilitation for imports from China and ensuring safety of export inspection and quarantine of goods to promote bilateral trade in this "emergency" period.