On December 21, 2023, the Embassy of China in Bangladesh and the Centre for Alternatives jointly held the Seminar on National Image of China in Bangladesh. H.E. Mr. Yao Wen, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, attended the program and delivered a keynote speech. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor of Dhaka University and Executive Director of Centre for Alternatives, Dr. Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Professor of North South University, Dr. Shahab Enam Khan, Professor of Jahangirnagar University, Mr. Song Yang, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy, and more than one hundred participants from academia, media, Chinese enterprises and Confucius Institutes were present at the program.
Professor Imtiaz, leader of the survey team, introduced the key findings of the survey on National Image of China in Bangladesh. According to the report, more than 60 percent of the respondents have a positive impression on China. Nearly 90 percent speak highly of China’s achievements in economy, science and technology. Nearly 70 percent believe that China has contributed much to poverty alleviation in Bangladesh. Over 90 percent of the respondents are satisfied with the status quo of China-Bangladesh relations and endorse the contribution of the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Bangladesh to the latter’s development. The role of China as Bangladesh’s key trading partner, development partner and source of foreign direct investment has been widely and positively accepted. China's efforts to mediate between Bangladesh and Myanmar to solve the issue of displaced persons from Rakhine State have earned more understanding and support. The Bangladeshi people are more keen to travel, study and do business in China.
In his keynote speech, Ambassador Yao thanked the survey team for collecting a large amount of raw data and conducting scientific and in-depth analysis accordingly. The report was drafted on a comprehensive and objective basis supported by solid figures. The results show that the majority of Bangladeshi people have a good impression on China.They are satisfied with the current situation of China-Bangladesh relations and in favor of its further improvement. They are also eager to know more about China. This is the second consecutive survey conducted by reputed local think tankwith sponsorship fromtheChinese Embassy. The steadily improving results show that China-Bangladesh relations have garnered the sincere support of the two peoples and is blessed with a bright future. After Bangladesh’s national parliament election to be held on January 7 next year, China-Bangladesh relations and bilateral practical cooperation in various fields will develop in a wider range. China welcomes and supports the top minds of Bangladesh and China to further strengthen in-depth researchand put forward creative suggestions for deepening China-Bangladesh relations under new circumstances.
The speakers and discussants approved thesurvey report for its objectiveness and comprehensiveness, and commended the positive impression China and Bangladesh-China relations leave onthe Bangladeshi people. They observed that the two countries treat and respect each other as equals and undertake mutually beneficial cooperation. China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty and independence, and opposes external interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. The cooperation between Bangladesh and China under the framework of BRI has upgraded Bangladesh's infrastructure, vigorously promoted its socioeconomic development, and brought tangible benefits to the Bangladeshi people. All these together lead to the good national image of China in Bangladesh. As the survey results indicate, the people of the two countries from all walks of life should further enhance exchanges and cooperation under theBRI, in particular on science and technology and between academia, media and youth, so as to further deepen the mutual understandings between them and translate it into the betterment of China-Bangladesh bilateral relations.
