Dhaka: Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today expressed that China has full confidence in Bangladesh’s future elected government, while also supporting the current interim administration. ‘No matter who leads Bangladesh, China will continue to increase trade and investment in the country, supporting its sustainable development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods,’ he stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ambassador made these comments while speaking at the China-Bangladesh Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation Seminar and Release Ceremony of Industry Reports, held at a hotel in the city. The event, organized by the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB), featured Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury as the chief guest.
Addressing the seminar, Ambassador Yao highlighted China’s commitment to partnering with Bangladesh in its ongoing economic transformation. He emphasized that as Bangladesh emerges as a new investment hotspot in South Asia under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chinese enterprises are eager to deepen their engagement, contributing to the country’s economic growth and industrial upgrading.
The seminar also marked the release of ten comprehensive industry reports, which capture the experiences and suggestions of Chinese investors operating in Bangladesh. Yao noted that these reports, reflecting the ‘collective wisdom of Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh,’ will serve as valuable inputs for Bangladesh’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at improving the business environment and facilitating industrial transformation.
The ambassador added that it is only a matter of time before China becomes the largest source of foreign investment in Bangladesh, citing a 3.7 times surge in Chinese investment in the first quarter of 2025 and the signing of investment agreements worth over USD 400 million since last August. He highlighted the progress in bilateral cooperation, specifically referring to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Strengthening Industrial and Supply Chain Economic Cooperation, describing it as a vivid reflection of the commitment to building a stable and inclusive global supply chain framework.
Ambassador Yao underscored the need for institutional facilitation to sustain investment momentum, urging Bangladesh to expedite the launch of negotiations for upgrading the China-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty and the Free Trade Agreement. ‘This is also a common appeal in the ten reports, and we sincerely hope that our Bangladeshi friends will take it seriously and act promptly,’ he added.
In the backdrop of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Bangladesh and China reiterated their commitment to advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and integrating industrial and supply chains for mutual benefit.