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

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3 top Chinese hospitals designated to receive Bangladeshi patients: Ambassador Yao

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said three top-tier hospitals in China’s Yunnan Province have been designated to specifically receive Bangladeshi patients. “If all the efforts continue smoothly, the first group of Bangladeshi patients could receive treatment in Chin

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

3 top Chinese hospitals designated to receive Bangladeshi patients: Ambassador Yao
UNB
Published :
Feb 18, 2025 21:10
Updated :
Feb 18, 2025 21:10

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said three top-tier hospitals in China’s Yunnan Province have been designated to specifically receive Bangladeshi patients.

“If all the efforts continue smoothly, the first group of Bangladeshi patients could receive treatment in China as early as in March this year,” Ambassador Yao said during a media briefing at the Chinese Embassy in the capital.

He said relevant departments from both countries are working to improve medical service mechanisms, including streamlining visa procedures, clarifying treatment processes and establishing translation teams.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, during his recent visit to China, proposed strengthening bilateral cooperation in public health, kindly requesting China to facilitate medical treatment for Bangladeshi patients in China and render due consideration to the aided hospital projects.

“China attaches vital importance to these proposals,” said Ambassador Yao assuring of providing top quality services.

China is the largest investor in Bangladesh since the establishment of the interim government and since last August, at least 13 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements with Bangladesh partners, with a total intended investment of around USD 230 million, which fully demonstrates China’s confidence in and support for Bangladesh’s future development, the envoy said.

Currently, over 30 companies have signed letters of intent to invest in the China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram, with a total investment exceeding USD 1 billion.

China hopes that the interim government will approve the industrial park project as soon as possible, he said, adding that China will also encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest and thrive in Bangladesh.

Responding to a question, the Ambassador said his country is ready to help Bangladesh implement the Teesta River water management project but as a sovereign country, it is up to Bangladesh to decide about the implementation of the project.

Bangladesh sought Chinese assistance for the Teesta Project in 2021 by sending a proposal. After evaluating the project, in 2023, China sent a report to the Bangladesh government.

The Chinese envoy said they have yet to receive any response from the Bangladesh government since then.

Ambassador Yao said people-to-people exchanges have reached new stages and both sides agreed to establish more Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms.

China will provide more opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in China, he said.

“In addition, we have officially proposed setting up a Chinese cultural center in Bangladesh, and we welcome Bangladesh to establish its cultural center in China also. These efforts will for sure create broader platforms for bilateral cultural engagement,” Ambassador Yao said.

He said the partnership between the two countries has gained new dimensions and the two sides reached important consensus on international and regional issues including cooperation on multilateral occasions, regional connectivity, and the Rohingya issue.

The envoy said both countries agreed to coordinate positions and enhance collaboration in the UN and other multilateral forums.

“This demonstrates that China-Bangladesh cooperation now extends beyond bilateral scope. The two sides are committed to jointly upholding world peace and stability, protecting developing countries’ shared interests, and safeguarding international fairness and justice,” he said.

He said China is accelerating the process of importing fresh Bangladeshi mangoes and the trade is expected to kick off this May.

“China also plans to import Bangladeshi guavas, jackfruits, and aquatic products. We have sent the inspection and quarantine requirements to the relevant Bangladeshi authorities for their response,” the envoy said.

He said the interim government recently approved the modernization and expansion project of Mongla Port.

China looks forward to Bangladesh expediting remaining domestic procedures to facilitate the early signing of the commercial contract, Ambassador Yao said.

The Ambassador said the mutually-beneficial trade achieved new breakthroughs and the zero-tariff treatment for 100% of Bangladeshi taxable products exported to China has come into effect since December 1 last year.

China pledged to consider providing Bangladesh with a transitional preferential treatment period, supporting its smooth graduation from the least developed country status.

“We are ready to enhance communication and consultation, strengthen development cooperation under the Belt and Road framework, advance major landmark projects as well as “small and beautiful” livelihood initiatives, so as to further consolidate traditional cooperation, explore emerging fields, and elevate mutually beneficial cooperation to new levels,” he said.​

 

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The Chinese ambassador has said that his country is ready to implement the Tista mega project. He also informed Bangladesh that 3 top Chinese hospitals have been readied for Bangladeshi patients. At the same time, China has also offered reduction in plane fares for Bangladeshi patients who are seeking treatments from Chinese hospitals. The Chinese ambassador is keen on selling top class Chinese military hardware for Bangladesh armed forces.

 

[Saif]

China eyes continued arms sale to Bangladesh

China said they are ready to implement the Teesta project. Now, it is up to Bangladesh to make a decision independently on its implementation process

en.prothomalo.com

China eyes continued arms sale to Bangladesh
Diplomatic Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 19 Feb 2025, 20: 33

Yao Wen, the Chinese ambassador, speaks at a press briefing in Dhaka on 18 February, 2025.Collected

China has long been selling defence equipment to the armed forces in Bangladesh and wants to continue it in future, says Yao Wen, the Chinese ambassador to Dhaka.

While speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, he noted that Chinese arms are of high quality and affordable. They sell the arms considering the internal situation of Bangladesh, in addition to maintaining their own due process.

The briefing was called to disclose developments on bilateral relations, following the foreign affairs adviser’s official trip to China last month.

China has been a key supplier of defence equipment for Bangladesh since independence. In recent years, Dhaka was exploring other sources as different European nations and Turkey showed interest in supplying arms to Bangladesh.

The policy of China is upholding friendship with Bangladesh as well as all Bangladeshi people with mutual respect, equality and shared interests, regardless of internal situation in Bangladesh----Yao Wen, the ambassador of China to Bangladesh.

When asked if China faces competition for arms sales, the ambassador said his country has long been supplying arms to Bangladesh. In the process, they consider the situation in Bangladesh, in addition to maintaining their domestic procedures. Besides, the Chinese arms are of high quality and affordable.

“Hence, China is not facing any competition in selling arms to Bangladesh,” he added.

China ready to implement Teesta project

In response to a query on the Teesta project, Yao Wen said China is ready to implement the project. It is up to Bangladesh to make a decision independently on the project’s implementation process. “The Teesta project should be implemented at the earliest for the benefit of thousands of people residing on its banks.”

He, however, suggested gradual implementation of the project, instead of as a large-scale project as proposed by the authorities in Bangladesh.

Regarding updates on the project, Yao Wen said Bangladesh sent a proposal on the Teesta project and sought assistance from China in 2021. After its evaluation, China suggested in 2023 that the project be revised, but there has been no further response from the Bangladesh side.

China is ready to implement the project. It is up to Bangladesh to make a decision independently on the project’s implementation process.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to cooperate on issues of sovereignty and national unity in Bangladesh in the coming days, highlighting five decades of bilateral cooperation on issues of shared interest.

“The policy of China is upholding friendship with Bangladesh as well as all Bangladeshi people with mutual respect, equality and shared interests, regardless of internal situation in Bangladesh. China will cooperate to safeguard sovereignty and national unity of Bangladesh,” he added.

Foreign adviser Touhid Hossain chose China for his maiden foreign trip after assuming the office. The Chinese ambassador described it as a message for bilateral cooperation on the political front.

Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have been strained since the student-people uprising on 5 August. When asked about its impact on regional stability, Yao Wen said the query should be made to the Indian envoy, instead of him. He, however, hoped that the issues would be settled through bilateral negotiations.

Asked if China, as a neighbouring nation, would mediate to ease tensions between Bangladesh and India, the ambassador replied, “I think Bangladeshis are wise enough to solve their own problems.”

Regarding their dispute over a map in government websites and textbooks of Bangladesh, the Chinese envoy said the flawed map came to their attention and they have already raised the issue with Bangladesh. “We want cooperation from the Bangladesh government in this regard.”​