[🇧🇩] China is a Time Tested Friend and a Strategic Partner of Bangladesh

[Saif]

China: From copycat to innovator

I have just wrapped up an extraordinary week in Shenzhen and Guangzhou as part of the study tour to China, organised by the Stars Foundation, Switzerland. This dynamic programme brought together a vibrant group of global leaders and offered an amazing opportunity to learn directly from...

www.thedailystar.net

China: From copycat to innovator

I have just wrapped up an extraordinary week in Shenzhen and Guangzhou as part of the study tour to China, organised by the Stars Foundation, Switzerland. This dynamic programme brought together a vibrant group of global leaders and offered an amazing opportunity to learn directly from international champions, unicorns, and start-ups.

From autonomous vehicles to AI-powered cityscapes and sustainable technology, the tour provided on-the-ground insights into the state of China's economy and the opportunities it presents for foreign businesses.

Beyond the technological marvels, what stood out to me was China's structured, intentional approach to encouraging innovation. As I return inspired, I would like to share a few key learnings from this journey that may be useful not only for businesses but also for policymakers, educators, and entrepreneurs.

The days when China was merely replicating Western technology are over. Today, homegrown giants are setting global benchmarks in AI, electric vehicles, and quantum computing. This shift from imitation to invention is no accident; it is the result of strategic investment in research and development, education, and talent cultivation.

China's evolution offers a model for any country aiming for long-term competitiveness. Moving from dependency to originality demands deep investment in STEM education and high-tech research.

The innovation boom in China is not only market-driven but also policy-led. Government support through subsidies, tax benefits, R&D incentives, and infrastructure development has played a vital role in transforming ideas into scalable businesses. Programmes such as "Made in China 2025" and state-backed venture capital funds ensure breakthroughs in AI, 5G, and green energy lead to commercial success. Effective innovation requires public-private synergy, and governments must create enabling environments through funding, regulatory sandboxes, and research grants to drive technological progress.

Cities such as Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing have become innovation hubs by concentrating talent, capital, and infrastructure in one place. Shenzhen's transformation from a fishing village into a global tech powerhouse is an example of how geography-based strategy and urban clustering can catalyse innovation.

Entrepreneurs in China are moving fast, experimenting boldly, and scaling globally. A lack of fear around failure, coupled with a massive domestic market to test ideas, allows companies to iterate rapidly. This bold, risk-taking mindset is valuable for anyone navigating fast-changing business environments or aiming to use local markets as testing grounds before international expansion. To encourage this culture, companies must invest in the right talent. China is placing strong emphasis on producing experts in AI, engineering, science, and R&D.

Chinese firms are no longer only competing globally; they are collaborating as well, partnering with Western companies, co-investing, and sharing knowledge. This shift from zero-sum rivalry to shared innovation is reshaping the idea of globalisation. Large companies are now engaged in joint research, co-developing products, and investing in global ventures.

The future belongs to cross-border alliances. Nations and businesses alike can learn from China the value of seeking strategic partnerships over adversarial competition.

One of China's greatest advantages is its ability to deploy innovation at scale and speed. Whether it is electric vehicle adoption, AI integration, or smart city infrastructure, execution velocity sets Chinese firms apart.

From Chinese companies, I have learnt that innovation is not just about ideas. It is about how quickly and efficiently they are executed. That means streamlining regulatory processes, supply chains, and market strategies to stay ahead.

The writer is the chief business officer at The Daily Star.​

 

[Saif]

Chinese envoy meets BNP delegation led by Fakhrul

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on a BNP delegation, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

en.prothomalo.com

Chinese envoy meets BNP delegation led by Fakhrul

UNBDhaka
Published: 08 Jul 2025, 22: 04

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on a BNP delegation, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on Tuesday.

The meeting was held at around 11 am at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan political office, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

He said the Chinese envoy had a cordial discussion with the BNP leaders, following their recent visit to China.

Apart from Fakhrul, BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Begum Selima Rahman and the BNP Chairperson’s Special Assistant ABM Abdus Sattar were present.

Details of the discussion were not disclosed, but party sources said they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

On 22 June, a high-level nine-member BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, visited China for five days at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).​

 

[Saif]

Beijing seeks to fast-track investment treaty with Dhaka, no matter who leads!

We sincerely hope that our Bangladeshi friends will take it seriously and act promptly, said Ambassador Yao while speaking at a seminar.

en.prothomalo.com

Beijing seeks to fast-track investment treaty with Dhaka, no matter who leads!

UNB Dhaka
Published: 09 Jul 2025, 19: 17

Chinese ambassador in Bangladesh, Yao Wen Tanvir Ahmed

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday said no matter who leads Bangladesh, China will continue to increase trade and investment in the country, supporting its sustainable development and the improvement of people's livelihoods.

Speaking at a seminar in the capital, he said a sound investment environment requires institutional safeguards and hoped that Bangladesh will work with China towards the same direction to expedite the launch of negotiations on upgrading the Bangladesh-China bilateral investment treaty and Free Trade Agreement (FTI) between the two countries.

He said these efforts will help further bolster the confidence and determination of Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh.

“We sincerely hope that our Bangladeshi friends will take it seriously and act promptly,” said Ambassador Yao while speaking at the seminar.

Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, who spoke at the seminar, said they have a tendency of promising things nut not delivering.

“But in the government, we are trying to change that attitude and culture. Hopefully, you will see significant improvement,” he said.

China has become the largest source of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh since the interim government took office.

The Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) hosted the seminar titled ‘China-Bangladesh Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation’ where ‘Industry Reports’ by the CEAB was released.

Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, along with representatives from the concerned agencies and departments of the Bangladesh government and business leaders from both countries were present.

He said China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to follow the strategic guidance of the two leaders’ important consensus, take the Golden Jubilee as a new starting point, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, promote the integration of industrial and supply chains as well as investment and trade.

“Together, we can elevate our economic and trade relations to new heights, and further contribute to the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” he said.

The conference featured in-depth research reports from specialised branches of CEAB, covering power and energy, roads and bridges, harbor, textile and garments, trade and services, railway and civil aviation, information and communication technology and water and environment.

These reports aim to identify market trends, investment opportunities and challenges, facilitating collaboration between Bangladeshi and Chinese enterprises under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Ambassador Yao said with the joint efforts of both countries, Chinese enterprises will continue to thrive in Bangladesh and contribute to its economic and social development as well as the improvement of people's livelihoods.

In the first quarter of this year, Chinese investment in Bangladesh surged by 3.7 times. Since last August, nearly 20 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladeshi partners, with a total intended investment exceeding US$400 million.

At Bangladesh’s current stage of development, he said, improving the business environment is crucial for fostering an open economy and achieving steady and sustainable development.

“Now, Bangladesh is also at a critical juncture of transformation and industrial upgrading. Under the able leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the economy keeps stabilising and improving, and the business environment is steadily enhancing, making the country emerge as a new investment hotspot in South Asia,” Ambassador Yao said.

Since Chinese enterprises constitute the largest group of foreign investors in Bangladesh, he said, it would be invaluable for the Bangladeshi friends to hear from their experiences and suggestions, which originate from their long-term operations here and are reflected in these ten reports.

“They crystallise the collective wisdom of Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh. I believe that they will serve as an important reference for the ongoing economic reforms in Bangladesh,” the Ambassador said.

In the first quarter of this year, Chinese investment in Bangladesh surged by 3.7 times. Since last August, nearly 20 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladeshi partners, with a total intended investment exceeding US$400 million.

China has become the largest source of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh since the interim government took office.

The Chattogram Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone is about to start construction.

The cooperation documents for the Chinese Agrivoltaics Economic Zone at Baherchar Island have been signed, and the China-Bangladesh Mongla Port Economic Zone is progressing steadily, the Ambassador said.

He said China not only supports the current interim government but also has full confidence in Bangladesh’s future elected government.​