Yao Wen, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh. Photo: Collected
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to Beijing will be a “game-changer” that will usher in a new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations.
In response to a question at a seminar at the Chinese Embassy on Sunday (June 2) evening, Yao Wen told reporters, ‘This (Prime Minister’s visit) will be another historic visit. This will be a game-changer. This will mark the beginning of a new chapter.’
Asked about the date of the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s next visit to Beijing, the ambassador said, “Wait.”
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is currently visiting Beijing to hold bilateral talks on the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit.
The Chinese Embassy in collaboration with Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) organized a seminar on “China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement: A Mutually Beneficial and Win-Win Choice”.
The Chinese ambassador said that Beijing is ready to work together with Bangladesh to complete the feasibility study of a Bangladesh-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the near future.
Yao Wen said, “I am confident that the early signing of the China-Bangladesh FTA will undoubtedly open a new chapter of mutual benefit and cooperation, ushering in a new golden era of economic and trade cooperation between China and Bangladesh.”
Yao said China is ready to formally start negotiations within this year, so as to start as a bilateral free trade zone and conclude the negotiations before 2026.
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu highlighted various aspects of bilateral relations in the speech of the chief guest at the seminar. RAPID Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzak, BCCI Secretary General Al Mamun Mridha and CEAB President K Changliang also spoke.