"Ambassador Yao: Bangladesh at a Pivotal Crossroads of Transformation"

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, expressed his belief that Chinese modernization could offer valuable insights for Bangladesh and other Global South nations, as the country stands at a "crucial crossroads of transformations." Speaking at the "China-Bangladesh Readers Forum on Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" in Dhaka, Yao emphasized that modernization is a shared challenge for the Global South. He highlighted that within just a few decades, China had achieved what took Western nations centuries, accomplishing rapid economic growth and sustained social stability, while debunking the myth that modernization equates to Westernization.

Yao noted that China's experience offers fresh perspectives for developing nations, inspiring them to pursue their own paths to modernization. The event also featured Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, who recently visited China with Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus. He spoke about the growing cooperation between China and Bangladesh across various sectors. Other notable figures at the forum included BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, CICG President Du Zhanyuan, and Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher.

The forum was part of the Bangladesh-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges and focused on the Bengali edition of Xi Jinping's "The Governance of China" (Volume One). Yao described the book as a significant initiative that contributes to global understanding of China's governance. Published in multiple volumes and translated into 42 languages, the work has become a key reference for leaders and policymakers around the world.

Yao also shared his personal connection to the book, stating that it provides deep insights into China’s success and governance philosophy. He invited Bangladeshi readers to explore how China lifted nearly 100 million people out of poverty, with the answers found in the book’s pages. He noted that the work offers a comprehensive view of China's development path and could serve as a valuable reference for Bangladesh in its own modernization efforts.

The ambassador highlighted that the book also reflects the principles of China’s neighborhood diplomacy, which are based on amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. He underscored that Bangladesh and China have agreed to deepen political trust and share experiences on state governance. Yao also noted the alignment between President Xi's vision for a shared future for humanity and Professor Yunus’s vision for a "World of Three Zeros."

As the two countries work together to promote common development and prosperity, Ambassador Yao expressed hope that the exchange of ideas would continue with the release of future volumes of the book.