Diplomatic Correspondent :
China has called for stronger cooperation with Bangladesh and the wider global community to promote green, inclusive, and sustainable development, saying shared prosperity can only be achieved through open collaboration.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Bangladesh-China Green Textile Expo 2025 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) on Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said, “Green development is the trend of our time, and win-win cooperation is our shared goal.”
The three-day event marks the first Bangladesh-China Green Textile Expo and is seen as a new chapter in bilateral economic ties.
Organised by Savor International Limited, it is co-organised by the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB), with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Shanghai Climate Week as strategic partners.
Yao described the expo as a platform to showcase Chinese innovations in sustainable textile materials and machinery while creating opportunities for collaboration between the two countries’ apparel sectors.
“Our cooperation goes beyond trade figures. It is about improving people’s livelihoods and sharing development experiences. It reflects our two peoples’ shared pursuit of a better life,” he said.
The ambassador urged both sides to treat the expo as a new starting point to elevate their partnership.
“China is ready to work with Bangladesh to promote green transformation in the textile industry, support energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly materials, and strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the global supply chain,” he added.
Highlighting areas for future cooperation, Yao said China sees potential in textile machinery, digital printing, and smart manufacturing as part of a joint effort to build a sustainable industrial chain.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China. Yao said ties between the two nations have grown steadily under the strategic guidance of their leaders.
“Over the past five decades, our relationship has been defined by mutual respect and win-win cooperation,” he said.
China has remained Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade now exceeding 24 billion US dollars.
Since August last year, more than 20 Chinese companies have signed investment agreements worth nearly $ 800 million, making China the largest investor since the formation of Bangladesh’s interim government.
The envoy also pointed to expanding trade in agricultural products, saying, “More and more Bangladeshi quality agricultural products are entering the Chinese market. In May this year, the first consignment of fresh Bangladeshi mangoes was successfully exported to China, and we are now working to provide access for jackfruit and guava.”
He reaffirmed that China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of Bangladeshi taxable products until 2028, underscoring Beijing’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable trade.
Yao also linked China’s development philosophy to President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which promotes sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, people-centred development, and practical action.
The envoy said these principles align with the goals of the United Nations Charter and represent China’s contribution to a fairer global system.
He added that China’s recent decision not to seek new special and differential treatment in future WTO negotiations demonstrates its determination to support an open and balanced trading order.
“This shows China’s confidence in advancing multilateral cooperation and its commitment to global development,” he said.
Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC) Chairman Brigadier General S M Zahid Hassan, Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) President Md Khorshed Alam, BGMEA Vice-President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, and CEAB President Han Kun also spoke at the inaugural session.
The ambassador closed his speech by calling the expo a symbol of friendship and shared vision.
“Let this event mark a new beginning for our two nations to strengthen cooperation, embrace green transformation, and work together for a sustainable future,” he said.
