Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday said China stands ready to further integrate development strategies with Bangladesh, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and bring the Bangladesh-China strategic partnership of cooperation to a new level. He said that China is also keen to deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries. "After Bangladesh’s national parliament election to be held on January 7th next year, China-Bangladesh relations and practical cooperation in various fields will develop in a wider range," he said while speaking at a seminar in Dhaka. Beyond the bilateral level, Ambassador Yao said the Bangladesh-China cooperation would further extend to regional and international arenas and play a greater role in maintaining peace, stability and development for the sake of the entire mankind. "Thus it calls for people from all walks of life of the two countries, including all of you present here, to cherish, care for and shape the China-Bangladesh relations," he said, adding that think tanks and scholars of the two countries can play a unique and irreplaceable role. Bangladesh deserves the best, says Kosovo envoy to Dhaka The Centre for Alternatives (CA), in collaboration with the Embassy of China in Bangladesh, hosted the seminar on “National Image of China in Bangladesh.” The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka and Executive Director of the Centre for Alternatives (CA). Two speakers Dr. Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Professor, Director, SIPG Programme, Chair, Department of Political Science and Sociology, North South University, Dhaka, and Dr. Shahab Enam Khan, Professor, Jahangirnagar University, delivered the speech. Dr. Amena Mohsin, Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, delivered the vote of thanks. Dr. Imtiaz pointed out China’s national image among Bangladeshis, especially their socioeconomic, political, developmental, and geographical differences. Bangladesh remains extra vigilant about Myanmar violence: MoFA spokesperson The primary focus was on what young people were thinking about the Bangladesh-China relationship. Dr Tawfique Haque addressed two areas the Chinese government needs to consider regarding Bangladesh; firstly, China should clarify that its way of resolving the Rohingya crisis differs from that of other Western nations. Secondly, China should create a counter-narrative against the debt trap narrative, as Bangladeshis are still suspicious of this narrative. Dr. Shahab Enam Khan pointed out that ‘acts of balancing’ best describe relations between Bangladesh and China. Regarding supply chain management, failing traditional international institutions and national economic priorities, Bangladesh must ensure a balanced relationship with China and other development partners. "We welcome and support the top minds of China and Bangladesh to further strengthen in-depth research on our bilateral relations, in particular from the perspectives of country studies, regional cooperation and geopolitics, and make valuable suggestions," said Ambassador Yao. It is also expected that the academia of the two countries could pay closer attention to China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation, think about the way to cope with a series of new challenges that the two countries are facing, and propose creative suggestions for the betterment of China-Bangladesh relations under new circumstances, he said. ‘If US can raise hourly wage, we can follow that model; inflation is high there’: Momen Yao said that the report and relative data show a positive perception of China among Bangladesh's young people, as well as identifying several areas where China can concentrate more to improve its image in the future. Former Ambassador Tariq Karim, former Foreign Affairs Adviser to a caretaker government Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, former Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque, Dr. Zaidi Sattar, Professor Dr. Barkat-E-Khuda also attended the seminar.

China has called on relevant countries to exercise restraint, to take an objective and just position, to work for de-escalation of conflict, and to avoid causing an even bigger blow to regional and international security. “China condemns all violence and attacks against civilians, and opposes all acts in violation of international law,” Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said during his meeting with Yousef Ramadan, Ambassador of Palestine to Bangladesh, on Monday (October 16, 2023). Read: Death toll rises to 2,670 in Gaza: ministry The two sides exchanged in-depth views on Palestine. Ambassador Yao noted that regarding the latest round of the conflict, China believes that it is a top priority to make all-out efforts to stop the fighting as soon as possible, prevent it from spreading endlessly, and avoid further deterioration of the situation. In the meantime, he said, it is imperative to observe the international humanitarian law, make every effort to ensure the safety of civilians, open up a humanitarian rescue and assistance passage as quickly as possible, and prevent a severe humanitarian disaster. The UN should play its due role in resolving the question of Palestine, said the Chinese envoy. Read: What military support the U.S. is providing to Israel's military “The UN Security Council needs to shoulder important responsibilities for this, build international consensus as quickly as possible and take real measures to that end,” he said, adding that the protection of civilians in armed conflict is a red line under international humanitarian law. Ambassador Yao also said, the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable, and neither Palestinian nor Israeli civilians should be targeted. “The safety of UN staff and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed.” China is communicating with the relevant parties, according to Chinese Embassy in Dhaka. The special envoy of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue will soon visit relevant countries in the region and make active efforts to facilitate a cessation of violence and de-escalate the situation. In the meantime, China calls for a more authoritative, influential and broad-based international peace conference to be held under the auspices of the UN to build international consensus for peace and work for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine at an early date. Ambassador Yao pointed out that regarding the question of Palestine, it is at the heart of the Middle East issue and a wound that keeps being torn open in today’s world. “The root cause of this question lies in the long delay in realizing the dream of an independent State of Palestine and the failure to redress the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people,” he said. “Israel has the right to statehood, so does Palestine. The Israelis have obtained the safeguards for survival, but who will care about the survival of the Palestinians? The Jewish nation is no longer homeless in the world, but when will the Palestinian nation return to its home? There is no shortage of injustices in the world, but the injustice to Palestine has dragged on for over half a century. The sufferings that plagued generations must not continue,” said the Chinese ambassador.  Read: Israel's Netanyahu vows to 'destroy' Hamas, says Gaza offensive still in early stages The answer to the question is the two-state solution and an independent State of Palestine, he said. “This is how Palestine and Israel could coexist in peace and how the Arabs and Jews could live in harmony. Only when the two-state solution is fully implemented can the Middle East truly enjoy peace and Israel enjoy lasting security,” said Ambassador Yao. He said the right way to advance the two-state solution is to resume peace talks as soon as possible. “All mechanisms for peace must play a positive role.” Ambassador Yao stressed that on the question of Palestine, China will continue to stand on the side of peace, on the side of justice, on the side of international law, on the side of shared aspirations of the majority of countries in the world, and on the side of human conscience. Read more: Relocation of Gaza residents extremely dangerous: UN chief

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today (January 23, 2023) said China supports any global initiative if it remains conducive to common development worldwide and avoids division or confrontation. He said any initiative by a country should be “open and inclusive” instead of being exclusive to a particular country or against any country. The Chinese ambassador made the remarks when a reporter wanted to know his views on various global initiatives including the Indo-Pacific strategy. Ambassador Wen had a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also read: Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming hopes Rohingya repatriation will start next year Responding to a question on sanctioned Russian ship heading towards China, the ambassador said he saw the media reports and hoped that any sort of sanction would not affect ordinary people and cooperation with any country. He also said that those were “unilateral sanctions”, and not by the United Nations. Bangladesh has conveyed to the Russian side that they can send any ship except those 69 sanctioned ones carrying equipment for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Sanctioned Russian ship Sparta III (Ursa Major) was scheduled to dock at Mongla port in Bangladesh at the end of December last year and unload cargo destined for the Rooppur power plant in Pabna. Read more: Bangladesh won’t accept those Russian ships which are under sanctions: FM But the authorities denied the ship permission to dock at the port after officials got a letter from the US Embassy in Dhaka, saying that the ship was on a list of Russian vessels sanctioned by the US. The ship is en route to the port of Shanghai, China, sailing at a speed of 10.4 knots and expected to arrive there on January 31, according to vesselfinder.com which provides real-time vessel data. Asked about the sanctioned ship's location, Foreign Minister Momen said they do not know anything further about the ship but reiterated that Bangladesh will not allow any sanctioned ship. Regarding the situation along the border with Myanmar, he said the relevant ministries are working and they are also in touch with the Bangladesh mission in Myanmar. Read More: Shipments for Rooppur plant and Bangabandhu Rail Bridge arrive at Mongla port "The situation is not good," said the foreign minister, noting that people are moving from one place to another out of panic. He said that no new entry from Myanmar will be allowed amid conflicts between two groups on the Myanmar side.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming Thursday paid a farewell call on Speaker of the Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the capital. Yan Hualong, minister counsellor of the embassy, was also present. During the meeting the speaker recalled her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the latter's visit to Bangladesh in 2016, the talks with her Chinese counterpart Li Zhanshu earlier this year, and the experience of attending the past sessions of the China-South Asia Exposition. She lauded the interactions between top leaders and parliaments of the two countries. Read: Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming hopes Rohingya repatriation will start next year She asked Ambassador Li to convey her warm regards to the Chinese leaders and invited the Chinese side to the upcoming celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Bangladesh Parliament. Shirin appreciated China's contribution to Bangladesh's fight against Covid-19, the construction of major development projects in the country, and the facilitation of repatriating displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar to Bangladesh. She highly commended Ambassador Li for his significant contribution to Bangladesh-China relations during his tenure and welcomed him to visit Bangladesh anytime in the future. Ambassador Li appreciated her efforts in promoting inter-parliamentary exchanges between the two countries. Read: Momen bids farewell to Li Jiming He hoped that, with the help of the speaker, the Bangladesh Parliament would further contribute to pursuing economic growth in Bangladesh and uplifting China-Bangladesh relations to a higher level. The two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation on trade and economy and people-to-people exchange.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday said China hopes that the repatriation of displaced Rohingya people will start next year. The outgoing Chinese Ambassador expressed the expectation when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter's official residence Ganabhaban this morning. PM's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed reporters after the meeting. Read more: No good news yet from Chinese side on Rohingya repatriation: Momen The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has been giving shelter to the forcibly displaced Rohingya people on humanitarian grounds. But they are now burden on Bangladesh for various reasons including food security, she said.  Noting that the displaced people are the nationals of Myanmar, Sheikh Hasina said, "Now they should go back to their own country." She hoped that Myanmar would take them the displaced people back to their country. The Prime Minister expressed her satisfaction over the good progress of several China-assisted mega projects for infrastructural development in Bangladesh. She thanked China for its investment in Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram. She also thanked the President and the Prime Minister of China. Also read: We are promoting grassroots arts and culture: PM Hasina Noting that Bangladesh firmly believes in upholding humanism, friendship and peace, she said Bangladesh wants to maintain friendly relationship with neighbouring countries. The momentum of the Bangladesh-China relationship would continue thriving further in the days to come, she hoped. The Chinese ambassador applauded the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for socioeconomic development in Bangladesh. "It has been possible due to only you," the envoy was quoted. The premier congratulated the outgoing Chinese ambassador for completing his full tenure and appreciated him for his contribution to the Bangladesh-China bilateral relationship. PM's outgoing Principal Secretary Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus was present.  

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has met acting Foreign Secretary Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam and discussed the ways to repatriate Rohingyas to their homeland as well as the recent tension at Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Talking to a small group of reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the meeting today, Ambassador Li said they have discussed several issues, including "early repatriation" of the Rohingyas and cooperation between the two countries. Asked whether they discussed the recent border issues with Myanmar, the Chinese envoy said they touched upon the recent developments and the acting foreign secretary did mention that. "That was very unfortunate.....I have no more information,” he said. Talking to reporters, Khurshed Alam said China assured Bangladesh of talking to the Myanmar authorities for ensuring peace along the border. Responding to a question, he said Bangladesh thinks China, as a friendly country of Bangladesh, will convey Bangladesh’s message to Myanmar as China has the leverage.    The acting foreign secretary said he briefed the Chinese ambassador on the recent incidents in the bordering areas with Myanmar.   He said Bangladesh also urged the Chinese Ambassador to expedite the Rohingya repatriation process which is yet to start. There is a tripartite mechanism involving Bangladesh, Myanmar and China to discuss and find ways to resolve the Rohingya crisis.  Last week, Bangladesh sought support and necessary steps from the international community to stop the violence so that Myanmar cannot create instability in the region and thus avoid the repatriation of the Rohingyas. Bangladesh conveyed to the international community that it is working with much patience and tolerance; and Bangladesh did not do anything that might cause Myanmar's mortar shells landing inside Bangladesh — impacting the life and livelihoods of Bangladeshis. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. 

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Saturday said Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is forging ahead in spite of headwinds and currents.  "From my own three years’ experience in this country, I can tell that a stunning pearl is rising from the Bay of Bengal," he said, adding that over the past decade, both Bangladesh and China have impressed the world with their incredible achievements. Ambassador Li said China will stay devoted to joint development with Bangladesh and the world at large.  "It is my deep belief that under the capable leadership of our respective state leaders, the friendly bond between Bangladesh and China will remain strong, for long and forever," he said.   Ambassador Li Jiming was speaking at a reception, celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center on Saturday night.  Planning Minister MA Mannan spoke as the chief guest, highlighting Bangladesh-China cooperation.  Political leaders, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, business leaders and foreign affairs experts also joined the event.  Ambassador Li said China vows to be an agent of world peace, contributor to global development, and defender of the international order.  "We advocate a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and endeavor to work with all to build a community with a shared future for mankind," he said, adding that they reject any cold-war mindset, group confrontation or unilateral sanctions. The envoy said Bangladesh and China are indispensable strategic partners and friendly interactions between the two countries could be traced back to centuries. In the 1950s, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited China twice, the Ambassador said. Over the past decade, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following the steps of the late Bangabandhu, also visited China twice.  In 2016, President Xi paid a historic visit to Bangladesh, and the two leaders ushered in a new chapter in bilateral relations by uplifting it to Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, the envoy mentioned.  To take back the Bangladeshi students stranded during the pandemic, the Ambassador said they have restarted visa issuance, and will charter six flights designated for them, the first of which will take off on September 26. Also read: Modi for transforming Bay of Bengal into a bridge of connectivity

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Sunday met Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the capital. The two sides exchanged views on the issues related to boosting trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China. Read: Home Minister drops in on Bachelet Economic and Commercial Counselor Liu Zhenhua accompanied Li Jiming at the meeting.

Bangladeshi students who study in China can be allowed to return to China following the improving Covid situation there, said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said on Monday. “China has started allowing foreign students to return to the country and Bangladesh is in the first lot,” said the ambassador in a video note posted on Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bangladesh’s Facebook page. Read: Padma Bridge: China lauds PM Hasina’s leadership amid enormous difficulties “The pandemic both in China and Bangladesh seems under control, which is good news to our two countries,” he said. Shanghai, the worst-hit state of China in the latest wave of Covid-19, is gradually returning to normal with only two or three dozens of daily Covid cases, said Li Jiming.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has greeted Bangladeshis on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr which will be celebrated on Tuesday.  "Time flies. This is the third Eid-ul-Fitr since the outbreak of pandemic, which has changed the world and our lives in many ways. Fortunately, the situation is getting better now," he said in a video message.  Ambassador Jiming said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently mentioned that Bangladesh has successfully controlled the pandemic and is able to continue the development trend of Bangladesh despite facing the corona. "It makes me so inspiring and I’m proud to say that China made due contributions to this great achievement of yours," he said. READ: US envoy greets Bangladeshis on Eid Besides the pandemic, Ambassador Jiming said, the world is still facing instabilities and risks.  "To overcome such challenges, the Chinese President Xi Jinping recently proposed a Global Security Initiative and emphasizing the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and work together to maintain world peace and security," he said, hoping that this vision will lead the world to a safe and harmonious future. In his video message addressed to Bangladeshi brothers and sisters, the Ambassador said, "On behalf of the Chinese Embassy and myself, I would like to extend mywarmest greetings and best wishes to you all. Eid Mubarak!" "May joy and health be with you and your families forever," he said extending to his sincerest wishes to his Bangladeshi brothers and sisters again.