Dhaka: Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's people-centred, pragmatic and efficient style of governance, saying it has brought "a fresh look" to national governance while helping steer the country through complex development challenges. "China will always remain Bangladesh's trustworthy good friend, good neighbour and good partner," he said while speaking at the inaugural session of the four-day "Comparative Governance Forum 2026" at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the envoy emphasized the importance of Bangladesh maintaining political unity and social stability, diversifying its economy beyond a single-industry structure, and fostering a more favourable external environment to sustain development momentum. The forum was attended by Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir as the chief guest, while Fudan University Vice-President Professor Chen Zhimin joined as the special guest. BIISS Director General Major General Ridwanur Rahman also addressed the event.
The Chinese ambassador highlighted that the new Bangladesh government has pursued a development-oriented approach focused on improving people's livelihoods since assuming office. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's official visit to China in June, Yao noted that the leaders of the two countries agreed to elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and jointly build a Bangladesh-China Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. "The visit was a complete success and marked a milestone in bilateral relations," he said.
Quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Yao stated that China would remain firmly committed to the overall direction of Bangladesh-China friendship regardless of changes in the international landscape. The understanding reached by the leaders has laid a solid foundation for the "Golden Fifty Years" of Bangladesh-China relations. Both countries have agreed to advance high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and better align their development strategies.
Important consensus has been reached on the comprehensive management of the Teesta River, the modernisation and expansion of Mongla Port facilities, and advancing the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor, according to the ambassador. He observed that practical cooperation between Bangladesh and China is steadily expanding in scope and quality, while exchanges on governance have become an integral part of building a community with a shared future.
The ambassador described the exchange of governance experiences as an important bridge connecting the peoples of the two countries and expressed hope that participants would gain practical knowledge in areas such as national governance, poverty reduction, and digital governance. The forum, jointly organised by BIISS and Fudan University, covers topics including China's experience in modernising national governance and governance capacity, the Four Global Initiatives, and the Global South.