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Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said that Bangladesh and China are transitioning into a new phase of development cooperation centred on sustainability, and that Beijing is ready to become a long-term partner in helping Bangladesh adopt greener manufacturing standards across its textile and apparel industry.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Bangladesh-China Green Textile Expo (BCGTX) 2025 in Dhaka on Thursday, he said China views environmental transformation in industry as a "strategic cornerstone" for future growth, not merely a compliance target.
"The direction of the global economy is very clear - countries that invest in green capacity today will lead tomorrow's trade," he said. "China stands ready to walk alongside Bangladesh in this transition, so that both sides benefit from a more resilient, innovative and sustainable supply chain."
Ambassador Yao noted that Bangladesh-China economic cooperation has increased in both scope and depth over recent years, extending beyond trade to technological upgrading, skills transfer and industrial modernisation. He said the textile expo offers a practical platform to translate this cooperation into "tangible outcomes for factories, workers and consumers alike". The envoy said Bangladesh's garment exporters had already won recognition globally for adopting eco-friendly practices, and China sees scope for further collaboration in energy-saving machinery, low-impact dyeing technologies, digital automation and recycling-based production models.
According to him, the world's major buyers are increasingly demanding not only compliance certificates but also verifiable carbon accountability along the supply chain.
"Bangladesh's success in the next stage of the global apparel market will depend on how quickly it can turn sustainability into a core industrial advantage," he said. "China is prepared to share both experience and technology to accelerate this journey."
He said Beijing is willing to support investments in greener equipment, promote research-based textile innovation, and facilitate partnerships between universities, climate networks and industrial platforms in both countries.
Referring to China's global outlook, Ambassador Yao said the country considers environmental cooperation an integral part of modern diplomacy, particularly with its long-standing development partners.
He referred to recent policy moves by Beijing to widen market access for developing countries, saying these decisions signal China's commitment to inclusive trade rather than protectionist privilege.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Dhaka and Beijing. Ambassador Yao said the partnership has matured significantly, and that sustainability is now taking shape as a new anchor of bilateral engagement.
He said the green expo should be understood not as a ceremonial gathering but as the beginning of a targeted effort to embed climate resilience into Bangladesh's largest export-earning sector.
The exhibition, which runs from 23 to 25 October at ICCB, features textile machinery, material innovations, climate-smart manufacturing techniques, seminars and business partnership sessions.
Ambassador Yao expressed optimism that the outcomes of the expo would help Bangladesh position itself as a frontrunner in sustainable textiles within Asia by the end of this decade. "If we continue along this path with determination and shared commitment, the Bangladeshi garment sector can become a genuinely green global leader," he said.
Managing Director of Savor International Limited Md Faizul Alam said a total of 80 stalls have been set up at the expo. "It is our beginning in green transformation in the industry. We will continue the effort in next year too," he also said.
Mijanur Rahman, Vice President (Finance), BGMEA; Brigadier General S M Zahid Hassan, Chairman, Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC); Mohd Khorshed Alam, President, Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI); Han Kun, President, CEAB; Guan Jie, Executive Secretary General, Shanghai Climate Week Executive Committee; Professor Fu Jiajia, College of Textile Science and Engineering, Jiangnan University; and Ge Zhenyu (Mike Ge), President, Textile and Garment Branch, CEAB, among others, were present at the inaugural ceremony.
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