Bangladesh is China’s ‘strategic’ partner and the future of the ties belongs to the young people of the two countries, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy Hualong Yan has said.
Speaking at a webinar on Monday, he said Bangladeshi students studying in Chinese universities would get priority to return to their campus once the Covid-19 situation improves.
The Association of Bangladesh China Alumni (ABCA) organised the webinar on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CPC) on Monday.
ABCA President Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Professor of History at Dhaka University Dr. Syed Anwar Hossain, and Former Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Ret) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain also spoke at the event.
The Chinese envoy highlighted the activities of the Communist Party and said “they are always seeking the truth from the facts”.
It’s a “people-centric” party, he said, adding that “We always believe in reforms”.
“We learn from other civilizations, we learn from other parties, other countries, and other people to get our better knowledge,” he said, adding that the party works by setting a roadmap for the five years, 10 years, 15 years and even 50 years.
“We are working for the next millennium for a better future. Bangladesh is our strategic partner and we enjoy valuable support from Bangladeshi people and government”.
He said the future belongs to the young people. “It is our hope that we will be working together.”
He said “both countries are big countries with big population”.
“I am sure with the rising of our Asian countries, China, India, Bangladesh and other countries surely we can create a better world and better future for mankind.”
Responding to a question, he said Bangladeshi students would get priority in getting Chinese vaccines and returning to study in China.
He said the Chinese embassy in Dhaka was working to help students studying at various Chinese universities back on campus.
Students from every country in the world are facing the same problem, he said, adding that they are also not being allowed to return to Chinese universities right now.
“It's not just Bangladeshi students, students from India, the United States or the United Kingdom also cannot come back (to China). No one can go to China. The way Covid-19 is spreading, we cannot be optimistic about a quick change. We have never seen such an epidemic before. Therefore, every country is facing a huge challenge. China and Chinese embassy are working. Whenever the good times come, Bangladeshi friends and students must get priority in getting Chinese vaccines and returning to China.”