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

Bangladesh has stressed the need for strengthening the G-77 forum under the current presidency of Cuba and for coming up with a strong statement against interference in the internal affairs of other countries at the upcoming G-77 Summit. The Summit will be held in Havana in September 2023 to promote and safeguard the interests of developing countries. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, presented his credentials — as concurrent Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba — to Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez at the Presidential Palace in Havana on Saturday (April 15, 2023). The Ambassador received a guard of honour from the presidential guard at the palace. Read more: Want security in the region but no defence pact: Momen on Indo-Pacific Strategy After the presentation of the letters of credence, a discussion was held with the Cuban president in presence of Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, foreign minister of Cuba. The president of Cuba highlighted the long-standing and friendly bilateral relations laid down by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Cuban Revolutionary leader and its former president Fidel Castro. He also highlighted the bond of existing friendship ever since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. He deeply appreciated Bangladesh’s support to Cuba in different international organizations and looked forward to continuing collaboration between the two countries. On his part, the ambassador also recalled the support of the Cuban people and its government led by the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro during Bangladesh’s war of liberation in 1971, and personal friendship between Bangabandhu and Castro. Read more: US wants Bangladesh to set a strong example of free, fair election The ambassador specifically mentioned that in recognition to the support to Liberation War by revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina awarded him ‘Bangladesh Liberation War Honour’ on March 24, 2013.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday told Parliament that the government has taken steps to prevent some foreign diplomats from remarking against the government regarding the internal affairs of Bangladesh before the media. "Some foreign ambassadors working in Bangladesh make statements against the government regarding the internal affairs of Bangladesh. Various measures have been taken to prevent them from giving such statements that go beyond etiquette," he said. Read more: Govt will guarantee full protection of all diplomats, says FM The minister said this while replying to a question from treasury bench lawmaker Abul Kalam Azad in the House. Momen said the diplomats who have commented on Bangladesh's internal affairs before journalists have been asked to explain their remarks. He said the diplomats concerned have been asked to clarify their stands and perform their responsibility following the diplomatic norms. The minister said the foreign envoys have been asked not to comment on the country's internal matters before the media rather to inform their words to the appropriate offices. "Some foreign diplomats have recently commented on the internal affairs of Bangladesh, which is tantamount to the interference into the internal affairs of an independent and sovereign country," he said. Read more: Media pursues diplomats to speak on Bangladesh’s internal affairs: Momen In reply to another question from Awami League MP Momota Hena Lovely, the Foreign Minister hoped that the foreign diplomats would refrain from joining the matters or events that is tantamount to the inference into the internal affairs of the country or something that creates controversy. But some of our institutions, especially the opposition parties and some media, encourage them to speak about their internal affairs time and again, which is not seen in other countries, he said. Referring to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the minister said the government will not prevent any foreign diplomats from attending any event that will help strengthen the bilateral relations. "Hopefully, the diplomats will maintain diplomatic etiquette in these events and refrain from making any comments that would be amount to interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh," he said.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said the government does not want any country getting involved in Bangladesh's internal affairs. "No country needs to get involved in our internal affairs. We are a matured country. We are a sovereign country. We are an independent country," he told reporters while responding to questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Asked whether his message applies to all countries, Momen said, "Yes, no matter who." The foreign minister’s attention was drawn to the recent remarks made by both the US and Russian sides. Momen said that other countries do not need to give prescriptions to Bangladesh on democracy, human rights, justice and human dignity as these are deeply rooted in Bangladesh's DNA. He said Bangladesh is the only country where 30 lakh people sacrificed their lives to uphold “democracy, human rights, justice and dignity of human beings in 1971.” Read more: More “informed” thinking required amid rise of new actors, challenges: FM He said the current government is committed to holding “free, fair, transparent and inclusive” elections under the independent Election Commission. “We introduced voter’s ID with photo and formed an independent election commission for a transparent election. There is no lack of sincerity. We assure that our election will be free, fair, transparent and inclusive. We want that,” he added. Momen said the Awami League never came to power without any democratic process and elections. “If you look at the track record, you will see Awami League is always for democracy, human rights, justice and human dignity.” He said those who lecture about Bangladesh need to know the history of Bangladesh and Awami League to stop unexpected talks. The foreign minister said Bangladesh welcomes constructive suggestions from foreign friends. “We consider proposals from our friendly countries with due importance.” Read more: Govt will guarantee full protection of all diplomats, says FM Momen cited how the government of Bangladesh addressed the concerns regarding the digital security act. Responding to a question on the formal inauguration of Dhaka Metro Rail, Momen said the government remains grateful to Japan for their uninterrupted support despite the Holey Artisan attack that left over 20 people, including Japanese citizens, dead.

It is not acceptable that the diplomats posted in Bangladesh will interfere in the country’s internal affairs including election, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said on Wednesday. “They will be warned. Bangladesh is a sovereign state. It will never bow down to anyone. We must maintain its dignity,” he said while responding to questions from reporters at an event at Mujibnagar Amrakanan, a memorial of the great liberation war, in Meherpur. His remarks came following Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s recent remakes about election in the country. Read more: It’s my strong hope to see free, fair election in Bangladesh: Ambassador Naoki On Monday, Japanese envoy Naoki said he heard about the example of “ballot box stuffing” and some police stuffed the ballot box the previous night which is something he did never hear in any other country. Razzaque said a free and fair election will be held in Bangladesh in the future which will be acceptable to the whole world. Article 126 of the Constitution clearly states that the election will be conducted by the Election Commission assisted by Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of police and all branches of the government, he added. Read more: Election Bangladesh’s own issue, not foreigners’ concern: Turkish Ambassador Regarding BNP’s movement, he said BNP had waged movement in 2013 and 2014 over election issue. “ They can wage movement if they want, we have come to this stage after dealing with those movements. We will deal with their movement politically in the future as well.”

China and Russia said Thursday that the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, one of the basic norms governing international relations, should be upheld.

Hong Kong, Oct. 26 (Xinhua/UNB) -- A spokesperson for China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government reiterated here on Friday that foreign legislatures "should not interfere in any form" in its internal affairs in response to a motion on Hong Kong passed by the House of Lords of the British Parliament.