China trap is sheer fabrication, says envoy

Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Mr Yao Wen on Tuesday said the so-called China trap was sheer fabrication, rather those projects would bring benefit, dividend and opportunities to the people of Bangladesh.

The envoy was addressing the Reunion of Bangladeshi participants attending Chinese Government Training Programme"

'China and Bangladesh are not only traditionally friendly neighbours but also strategic partners', said Mr Wen.

He mentioned that China maintained Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. China is also a major source of foreign investment for Bangladesh, with an investment stock of 3.17 billion US dollars and more diversified investment sectors being explored.

"Currently, there are around 700 Chinese companies registered in Bangladesh, they have constructed 7 railways, 12 roads, 21 bridges, and 31 power plants, providing 550,000 job opportunities" the Ambassador said.

The Chinese government's training programs to Bangladesh have sent approximately 5500 Bangladeshi officials, technical experts, young scholars, and media representatives to receive training in China, and all the seminars have received unanimous acclaim.

He also stated that China was the most reliable development partner and a true friend of Bangladesh.

"In the coming year, China will provide more bilateral training programs, benefiting an even greater number of Bangladeshi participants" Mr Wen said adding that 'right now, there have been 50 flights flying between China and Bangladesh every week, and nearly 10 thousand people commute to and from our two countries on weekly basis'.

"Here, I have another good news to share with you. More direct flights from Dhaka to Beijing will be opened very soon, so as to provide more diverse flight options and making people-to-people exchanges even more convenient" he mentioned.

Md. Anwar Hossain, Additional Secretary, Wing Chief of ERD, Ministry of Finance, was the chief guest in the programme.