Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, said that China wants to have a more integrated development strategy with Bangladesh and deepen practical cooperation in various fields. At the same time, he said that Bangladesh-China strategic partnership is ready to be brought to a new level.
The Chinese ambassador said that China is interested in providing more benefits to the people of both countries.
He said that China-Bangladesh relations and practical cooperation in various fields will be developed on a wider scale after the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad elections to be held on January 7 next year.
Ambassador Yao said that beyond the bilateral level, Bangladesh-China cooperation will expand to the regional and international arenas and play a greater role in maintaining peace, stability and development for the benefit of all mankind.
He said, "Therefore, I call upon all the people of the two countries, including all of you present here, to cherish, care and shape the relationship between China and Bangladesh, and the think- tanks and scholars of the two countries can play a unique and irreplaceable role."
Center for Alternatives (CA) organized a seminar on 'National Image of China in Bangladesh' in collaboration with Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh.
Professor of International Relations, Department of Dhaka University and Executive Director of Center for Alternatives (CA)Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed presented the main article in the seminar.
In the seminar, President of North South University's Department of Political Science and Sociology, Director of SIPG Program, Professor Dr. SK Taufiq M. Haque and Jahangirnagar University professor Dr. Shahab Enam Khan spoke.
Professor of International Relations Department of Dhaka University Amena Mohsin expressed her greetings.
Dr. Imtiaz highlighted the national image of China among Bangladeshis, especially their socio-economic, political, developmental and geographical differences.
The main focus was on what the youth think about Bangladesh-China relations.
Dr. Taufiq Haque highlighted two points that the Chinese government needs to consider about Bangladesh. First, China needs to make clear that its approach to solving the Rohingya crisis is different from that of other Western countries. Second, China should create a counter-narrative against the debt trap narrative, as Bangladeshis are still skeptical of this narrative.
Dr. Shahab Enam Khan said that 'balancing act' best describes the relationship between Bangladesh and China. Bangladesh must ensure a balanced relationship with China and other development partners in terms of supply chain management, failing traditional international institutions and national economic priorities.
Ambassador Yao said, "We welcome and support the top figures of China and Bangladesh to strengthen our bilateral relations, especially from the perspective of country know-how, regional cooperation and geopolitics, and provide valuable advice."
He said, it is hoped that the policy makers of the two countries will pay close attention to China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation. The two countries will think about ways to deal with the new challenges they are facing. We will offer creative suggestions for improving China-Bangladesh relations in the new situation.
Yao said the report and relative data show positive perceptions of China among young people in Bangladesh, while also identifying several areas where China can focus more on improving its image in the future.
Former ambassador Tariq Karim, former foreign affairs adviser to the caretaker government Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, former foreign secretary Shahidul Haque, Dr. Zayedi Sattar, Professor Dr. Barkat-e-Khoda and others participated in the seminars.