Staff Reporter :
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday expressed Beijing’s sincere hope that Bangladesh will hold a peaceful and successful general election, ensuring social stability and improving the lives of its people.
“Democracy is not simply about participation in voting; it should be reflected throughout the entire process of national governance,” said Ambassador Yao, noting that Bangladesh now stands at a crucial stage of democratic transition and national rejuvenation.
He was speaking at a seminar hosted by the Association of Former Ambassadors (AOFA) at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. The discussion centred on democratic governance, national development, and the evolving Bangladesh-China partnership.
Ambassador Yao said that democracy finds its true meaning only when people’s aspirations are fully represented in state governance.
“This process – from the expression of the people’s opinion, to decision-making, and to policy execution and oversight – should be infused into a system that safeguards fairness and justice and promotes the well-being of the people he explained, adding that this is what defines the “soul and nature of China’s whole-process people’s democracy.”
The envoy emphasised that China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to uphold a people-centred development philosophy, carry forward the spirit of independence and self-reliance, and explore a path to modernisation that reflects each nation’s realities while keeping pace with the times.
President of AOFA Ambassador Abdullah Al-Hasan and General Secretary Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker also addressed the seminar.
Yao said the development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics fits China’s national reality and ensures that the people truly run the country.
“Through the whole process of people’s democracy, the unity of broad participation and effective governance has been well achieved,” he said.
Citing President Xi Jinping, the Chinese envoy noted that whether a country is democratic depends on whether its people genuinely exercise power.
“Democracy is not merely a certain procedure; it must guarantee that the people are masters of the country in practice,” he said.
Yao highlighted that China has not followed the old modernisation path of Western nations but has instead developed its own model.
“Similarly, China has not duplicated Western models of democracy, but practised it in its own way,” he added.
Turning to bilateral relations, the ambassador reaffirmed that China is ready to partner with Bangladesh for green growth and sustainable development.
Both countries, he said, have consistently supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns.
He praised Bangladesh for firmly upholding the one-China principle and supporting China on matters concerning its sovereignty.
“China has always respected Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as the Bangladeshi people’s choice of development path suited to their national conditions,” he said.
“Practical cooperation has been an important pillar of our partnership,” he said.
Yao pointed out that Bangladesh was the first South Asian country to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Over the past nine years, the initiative has created nearly 600,000 jobs in Bangladesh and injected strong impetus into the country’s economic and social development, he said.
China has remained Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, the ambassador added.
To support Bangladesh’s smooth graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, China has granted zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of taxable items exported from Bangladesh to China until the end of 2028.
Ambassador Yao concluded by reaffirming Beijing’s long-term commitment to deepening cooperation with Dhaka and promoting shared progress under a framework of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
