The new Chinese Ambassador, Yao Wen on Sunday said that China is ready to work with Bangladesh to absorb the shock of the recession resulting from the Ukraine war and the Covid pandemic.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with the foreign secretary and the state minister for foreign affairs in the Foreign Ministry, the Chinese ambassador said that this is high time to work together to face the problems resulting from the Ukraine war and Covid pandemic as according to him "these are common problems for both Bangladesh and China."
According to the Chinese envoy, Bangladesh has achieved its goal of closing the economic development gap and has completed its 2021 goals under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership.
"And new goals for the 2041 is set to create Sonar Bangla and recently your prime minister has set goals to create Smart Bangladesh" the envoy added that China and Bangladesh can work together to materialise these objectives and work together to face the common problems.
Responding to whether China will provide foreign currency support or help address the challenges of the energy crisis, the Chinese envoy said that China is ready to work with Bangladesh to face these challenges.
Replying to the question, he said China will do whatever is necessary to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
Lauding Bangladesh for providing shelters to thousands of Rangers, the Chinese envoy said that China took on the role of facilitator between the two countries, given that Bangladesh and Mahmud are friends of China.
‘I feel confident that during my tenure we can work together to fulfil our dreams to create a better future for both nations’ the Chinese envoy added.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said, Bangladesh will seek Chinese help to defuse tension along the Bangladesh Myanmar border.
Infighting between two Myanmar warring groups caused tension along the border and on Saturday a Bangladeshi was killed due to the firing from the other side of the border.
"We will seek Chinese assistance to defuse tension along the Myanmar border, as China has a very good influence over the present Myanmar government," foreign minister told reporters in the Foreign Ministry.
The foreign minister mentioned that the government is in touch with the Myanmar government over the issue. ‘We have told them to take necessary steps and still we are also working on it" he informed
According to reports, clashes between two Myanmar groups caused panic among the Bangladeshis living near the border.
"But the problem is that the man government does not have a very strong hold over these areas" the minister noted.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com