Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday (July 4) said his country wants to see the Teesta project implemented quickly, but Bangladesh will make the final decision.

The ambassador made the remarks while addressing the DCAB Talk organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the National Press Club in Dhaka, marking the prime minister’s visit to China on 8-11 July.

In response to a question regarding Teesta project Yao Wen said, Bangladesh will make the final decision. “Earlier, we have worked in the project, but who will implement the project that government of Bangladesh will decide.”  

Regarding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China, the envoy said, “It will be her fifth visit to the East Asian country and first visit as well after the assumption of power through the January 7 election this year.”

At the event, Yao Wen said, “This visit is expected to take the helm for the growth of the China-Bangladesh relationship for the next five years or even longer. The visit will be another milestone in the history of bilateral relations and is of great significance to build on past achievements and forge ahead.”

During this visit, the ambassador said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will meet with Chinese leaders, sign a number of cooperation documents, and jointly announce major cooperation achievements.

The two sides will achieve new breakthroughs in pragmatic cooperation, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries, he said, adding that it has been proved that China is Bangladesh's most reliable partner and trustworthy friend.

“This visit will surely inject vibrant impetus into the bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, and promote new achievements in the Strategic Partnership of Cooperation between China and Bangladesh, and elevate the relationship to a new height.”

He said, “Over the past five years, China and Bangladesh have achieved remarkable achievements in their nation building, economic development and modernisation drive. Bangladesh has maintained long-term political stability and rapid economic development, and its economic strength has risen to second place in South Asia, thus creating a ‘Bay of Bengal Miracle’.

“How to further elevate bilateral relations, expand the scope of exchanges, tap the potential for cooperation, and make the relationship between our two countries and peoples better, deeper and closer is a task that requires joint efforts from both sides,” Yao Wen added.

Through this visit, the ambassador said, the two sides will further enhance coordination and cooperation on regional and international issues, jointly upholding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice.

China supports Bangladesh being a partner country of the BRICS and hopes Bangladesh will be a member of the BRICS at an early date, he said.

“China highly appreciates Bangladesh's humanitarian spirit in sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya refugees. China is actively persuading all parties involved in the Myanmar conflict to achieve ceasefire and engage in dialogue, thus paving the way for the repatriation at an early date.”

Yao Wen said Bangladesh is on the verge of graduating from the least-developed country (LDC) status in 2026 and is in the process of transitioning from “digital development” to “smart development”. It is striving towards realising the “Vision 2041”. The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh has been playing an active role for a long time in boosting bilateral ties, he added.

DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib and General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu, among others, were present at the event.

BDST: 1533 HRS, JULY 04, 2024
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