China’s modernisation could be a guide for Bangladesh: Envoy

Noting that Bangladesh stands at a crucial crossroads of transformations, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said on Sunday that the country can take reference of his country’s modernisation while finding way for its own transformation.
“China’s practice offers fresh perspectives and inspires developing nations to pursue their own modernisation pathways. As Bangladesh stands at this crucial crossroads of transformations, I hope Chinese modernisation could offer some reference for Bangladesh and fellow Global South nations,” he said while addressing “China-Bangladesh Readers Forum on ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’” at a hotel in the capital.
The envoy said China’s practice offers fresh perspectives and inspires developing nations to pursue their own modernisation pathways.
“In a matter of decades, China has accomplished what took Western nations centuries. It achieved two miracles – rapid economic growth and sustained social stability, bunking the myth that modernization means Westernisation,” he added.
“China’s remarkable socioeconomic transformation would not have been possible without the great theoretical guidance,” Yao Wen said, adding that he expected that his Bangladeshi friends will gain deeper insights into China’s development path, governance philosophy, and guiding principles through ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’.
He said the book contains important works by Chinese President Xi Jinping, from 2012 to 2022 and it has been published in four volumes with 42 language versions, reaching over 180 countries and 1,700 major libraries worldwide.
In this book, President Xi Jinping elaborated the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as China's path to modernization, he added.
Mentioning about Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’s recent visit to China and reaching consensus on many issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the ambassador said Xi’s ideas and Yunus’s vision for a “World of Three Zeros” are closely aligned.
Addressing the event, Road Transport, Bridges, Railway and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said he read a part of the English version of the book during his last visit to China, but it is good to see that the Bengali edition of its first volume has appeared as it would offer a better understanding of China and Xi’s philosophy to a wide range of readers.
Highly praising the book, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan stated that this would be great opportunity for Bangladeshis to understand the Chinese dream as according to him, though Bangladesh has no border with China, people of Bangladesh consider it as the closest neighbour.
Appreciating China’s continuous support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and stability, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher thanked for Chinese support for Bangladesh in different international forums.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said Xi Jinping’s story and how China brought a revolutionary change should be a must read for policymakers, politicians, bureaucrats and ordinary citizens.
China International Communications Group President Du Zhanyuan looks forward to deepening China-Bangladesh exchanges in poverty reduction and development experience for the well-being of the two peoples. He said through this book, readers can understand China and the world in the new era.
A discussion followed the first session of the China-Bangladesh Readers Forum on ‘Xi Jinping: The Governance of China’ where a panel of experts highlighted different aspects of the book and Bangladesh-China relations.
Addressing the discussion, Daily Sun Editor Md Rezaul Karim (Lotus) termed fifty years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China a milestone worth celebrating and stressed the need of recognising the vital role that media and creative industries play in fostering understanding, strengthening ties, and shaping the future of China-Bangladesh relations over the years.
He urged the upon media professionals and creative leaders to work together to exchange regular news, features, articles, produce more joint films, television programmess and documentaries that reflect shared stories and translate literary works and utilise digital platforms to share music, art and performances with wider audiences.
“By telling stories that unite us, by creating art that inspires us, and by celebrating all that we share as fellow human beings, we can ensure that the next 50 years are defined not just by economic and political cooperation, but by an unshakable cultural and people-to-people connection that enriches both our societies,” the Daily Sun Editor added.
Director of the International Department and Bangladeshi Director of the Center for China Studies at Dhaka University Dr Shamsad Mortuza, President of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh Han Kun, Former chairman of Dhaka University’s Population Science department Prof Mainul Islam, Director of Confucius Institute at North South University Dr Bulbul Siddiqi, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute at University of Dhaka Yang Hui, Professor Political Studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Shahabul Haque, and Director of the Center for South Asian Studies and the Research Office of Major Power Relations of the Institute for International Strategic and Security Studies at Shanghai Institute for International Studies Liu Liu Zongyi also took part in the discussion.