On 16 March, the Dhaka Tribune published an interview with H.E. Mr. Yao Wen, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, titled Many countries align with China in backing Bangladesh. The full text of the article is as follows:
1. You have completed a year in Dhaka. What has surprised you in terms of what you expected to see?
How time flies. It has been one year and two months since I came to Dhaka. The past year has been very important in the history of Bangladesh and also for China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation. I would like to share with you some observations that impressed me most.
First, the Bangladeshi people are very friendly towards China. Over the past year I have visited many places in Bangladesh, had extensive contacts with all sectors of society and reached out to the grass-roots people. What I have experienced most is the simple and sincere affections of the Bangladeshi people towards China and the Chinese people. According to the survey on the National Image of China, which has been conducted for two consecutive years, over 90 percent of the respondents are satisfied with the status quo of China-Bangladesh relations and support the further development. And the percentage of people holding the same position is increasing. I have to say that people-to-people affection is deeply rooted in the thousand-year-long history of friendly exchanges between the two countries. And it is nurtured by the common principles of mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation between the two sides. China is truly committed to helping Bangladesh in its development and construction, and hopes that the Bangladeshi people could enjoy a happier life. Public opinion is the foundation of bilateral relations, and also the biggest source of confidence for us to work together for the future.
Second, Bangladesh has great potential for development. Let me cite a set of figures to prove it. At the time of the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, its GDP was only 6.29 billion US dollars, with a growth rate of negative 14 percent and a per capita GDP of only 90.7 US dollars. After 50 years of development, in 2022, its GDP exceeded 460 billion US dollars, with a growth rate of 7.1 percent, and an average annual growth rate of more than 6 percent over the past decade. Per capita GDP is nearly 2800 US dollars, surpassing India for four consecutive years and Pakistan for eight consecutive years. In addition to the achievements in the economic field, the level of development in the social and welfare fields in Bangladesh has also improved significantly. Bangladesh is among the leading countries in South Asia in terms of life expectancy, literacy rate and the proportion of women in the labour force. According to the findings of the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 of the United Nations, Bangladesh is ranked higher than India and Pakistan.
Bangladesh is the first country in South Asia to join the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past eight years, the BRI has taken root and blossomed in the golden Bay of Bengal, being involved in and witnessing the sweeping changes that have taken place in Bangladesh. It is with no exaggeration that the city of Dhaka looks like a big construction site, and is vibrant and alive with new projects every single day. Fourteen mega infrastructure projects aided or constructed by the Chinese government have been completed or commenced during the past year, making significant contributions to improving people's livelihoods and upgrading infrastructure conditions in Bangladesh. With the continuous strengthening of China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation and the deepening of practical cooperation in various fields, China will continue to provide support and assistance for the development of Bangladesh and help Bangladesh achieve “Vision 2041” and "Smart Bangladesh" at an early date.
2. General election was a major issue of your tenure. China was quite vocal against Western statements on Bangladesh in the run up to the elections. Washington said they were helping Bangladesh in the democratic process. Beijing called it internal interference. Why did you think that?
China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, in which non-interference in other countries' internal affairs is an important principle. On the issue of the 12th National Parliament Election, the Chinese Government maintained a consistent position with clear and firm attitude. We have always believed that the election is an internal affair that should not be subject to any external interference. How Bangladesh will develop in the future, nobody but the Bangladeshi people have the say. We are glad to see that, the election was finally conducted smoothly as scheduled despite tremendous pressure and challenges. Chinese leaders sent the letters of congratulations to the Hon’ble Prime Minister immediately after the election, indicating that they stand ready to work with the Bangladeshi side to uplift the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new height.
What I would like to point out is that there are many countries that share the same position with China, supporting Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty and independence, opposing external interference and standing firmly on the side of the people of Bangladesh. On the contrary, some certain countries are interfering in the name of democracy, as if their democracy and elections are superior and perfect. Is that the truth? The people of Bangladesh see it clearly.
3. Chinese railway technology is world class: do you see any prospect of Bangladesh being linked from top to bottom with a high speed rail network?
Railway cooperation is an important part of China-Bangladesh relations and has achieved fruitful results in recent years. Last year, Honorable Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina attended the inauguration ceremony of Dhaka-Bhanga section of Padma Bridge rail link and the Railway Line from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar built by Chinese enterprises. Up to now, Chinese companies have built 7 railways in Bangladesh. These mega projects play an important role in Bangladesh's economic and social development and help to provide job opportunities to local people.
China has rich experiences and advanced technologies in railway construction. China stands ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Bangladesh, and is willing to deeply involved in Bangladesh railway construction. Should the Bangladeshi side has new suggestions of cooperation, please feel free to formally submit to the Chinese side.
4. How should Bangladesh manage its geopolitical relations given the increasing tensions between the US and China?
Major countries shoulder critical responsibilities for global strategic stability. As President Xi Jinping noted, major-country competition is not the prevailing trend of current times. For major countries, the more volatile the international landscape, the greater the need to enhance coordination; the more acute the risks and challenges, the greater the need to advance cooperation. China will be a force for stability in promoting cooperation between major countries.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. Past experience and lessons show that when China and the United States work together, great things can be accomplished for the two countries and the entire world, while a confrontational posture between the two countries hurts both sides and the world at large. At the end of last year, the Chinese and U.S. presidents held an important summit meeting, which laid out a future-oriented San Francisco vision. In the meantime, China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and push back against containment and suppression. With a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world, China will work with the United States to implement the common understandings between the two presidents and move bilateral relations forward along the right path of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, affirms his adherence to the foreign policy of “friendship to all, malice towards none”, with importance to be laid on both the East and the West. This is appreciated by the Chinese side.
5. Two-way trade is growing. But it's obviously in favour of China. Do you have any plan to balance the trade? Any plans to sign an FTA with Bangladesh?
In recent years, bilateral trade between China and Bangladesh has developed rapidly. China has maintained Bangladesh's largest trading partner for the past 13 consecutive years, and Bangladesh is also China's third largest trading partner in South Asia. The trade structures of the two countries are complementary and have played a positive role in the economic development of both countries.
I understand that many Bangladeshi friends pay attention to the trade imbalance between China and Bangladesh. Let me share with you the data. In 2023, Bangladesh's trade deficit with China dropped by 15%, indicating that the trade imbalance condition between China and Bangladesh has been effectively improved.
As you said, China-Bangladesh trade is in favour of China, but Bangladesh has also gained huge benefits from it. On one hand, 85% of Bangladesh's exports are RMG, and about 80% of the raw materials come from China. It is China-Bangladesh trade that ensures the production and export of Bangladesh's RMG, thereby helping Bangladesh to realize the export diversification strategy. On the other hand, a large part of China's exports to Bangladesh are machinery and parts, which ensures Bangladesh's infrastructure construction needs, thereby promoting Bangladesh's economic development and increasing employment. Therefore, I can say that China-Bangladesh trade is mutually beneficial.
China has never pursued a trade surplus with Bangladesh. In recent years, China has taken pragmatic measures to expand imports from Bangladesh. This year, Bangladesh mango is expected to export to China. China welcomes Bangladesh to actively participate in the CIIE, the Canton Fair, etc., and supports Bangladesh in holding jute, leather and other special product exhibitions in China to promote more Bangladeshi high-quality products to enter the Chinese market.
I am also very happy to see that Bangladeshi media friends are paying attention to China-Bangladesh FTA. Signing of the China-Bangladesh FTA will help Bangladesh successfully graduate from LDCs in 2026, import Chinese products needed for Bangladesh's economic development and industrial upgrading, and also ensure export of Bangladeshi high-quality products to China, such as jute, leather, mango, and aquatic products. Meanwhile, the China-Bangladesh FTA will also strengthen investment cooperation between the two countries, helping Bangladesh to attract more Chinese investment, and promote Bangladesh’s economic and social development. China hopes to work with Bangladesh to complete the feasibility study on the FTA, and formally kick off the negotiations as early as possible, so as to sign it before 2026.
6. Do you see any prospect of Rohingya repatriation? What’s the current situation of Myanmar alongside the repatriation?
With China's unremitting efforts and continuous mediation, Bangladesh and Myanmar have been working together and made significant progress since last April, sending out goodwill to each other and made a series of agreements on the commencement of repatriation. Both sides achieved unprecedented progress. For example, the Bangladeshi side sent a “go & see” delegation to Myanmar to inspect the situation of the resettlement villages, and the Myanmar side sent two “come & talk” delegations to Bangladesh, and both sides jointly carried out identity verification of displaced people.
What I would like to emphasize is that repatriation is the only solution to the issue. And this is widely recognized by all the parties concerned. It is only a matter of time for the repatriation to commence. Although repatriation has been suspended for the time being due to the internal conflict in Myanmar, the parties concerned remain determined to carry forward the repatriation process. The more difficult the current situation is, the more important confidence and strategic focus are. Moreover, although repatriation is a matter between Bangladesh and Myanmar, regional countries and the international community should provide more assistance and support.
Link: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/341899/ambassador-many-countries-align-with-china-in