Chinese envoy bids farewell, reaffirms China’s support for Bangladesh

MM Rahmatullah: Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a farewell call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, with both sides expressing confidence that Bangladesh-China relations would continue to deepen in the coming days.During the meeting, the State Minister appreciated Ambassador Yao’s contribution to strengthening bilateral ties during his three-year-and-nine-month tenure in Bangladesh.Humaiun Kobir said the Ambassador’s activities had received significant attention in Bangladesh and praised his role in facilitating the successful visit of Prime Minister Tariq Rahman to China.He also highlighted developments in bilateral relations during Ambassador Yao’s tenure, saying Bangladesh-China ties had been elevated to the level of a “Shared Community.” He noted that several new cooperation mechanisms, including a State Minister-level 2+2 mechanism, are also set to begin.Ambassador Yao said it had been a great honour for him to serve in Bangladesh and congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as President of the United Nations General Assembly, describing the achievement as a proud moment for Bangladesh.The Chinese envoy reaffirmed that China would continue to support Bangladesh in its development journey.He also informed the State Minister that the Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) is keen to visit Bangladesh at the end of this year.According to Ambassador Yao, the Chinese minister has a strong connection with Bangladesh, as his father had previously served as China’s Ambassador to Bangladesh and had presented his credentials to then-President Ziaur Rahman.The State Minister expressed confidence that the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and China would continue to expand.He thanked Ambassador Yao for his service to Bangladesh and wished him success in his new assignment, saying their paths would cross again in the future. Humaiun Kobir also said Bangladesh was delighted to have had Ambassador Yao serving in the country, reflecting the cordiality that has marked bilateral relations during his tenure.