Chinese Ambassador Yao meets Tarique

The hour-long meeting focuses on future cooperation and development partnership

China’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has met with BNP acting chief Tarique Rahman.

The hour-long meeting took place on Wednesday afternoon at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan.

Senior BNP leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, Acting Chairman’s Advisor Mahadi Amin, and Press Secretary Saleh Shibli were also present.

BNP leaders described the talks as “cordial”, emphasising China’s longstanding role as a key development partner for Bangladesh.

This was the first meeting between the Chinese ambassador and the BNP acting chairman.

Speaking after the meeting, Humayun Kabir said the talks highlighted China’s role as a longstanding development partner of Bangladesh.

He said Tarique highlighted BNP’s future development plans and shared how the party envisions rebuilding the country if it comes to power.

Discussions also covered how China could contribute to Bangladesh’s development, he added.

Replying to a question, Humayun said the Chinese side expressed readiness to work with the next elected government of the country.

“They are considering the role of the BNP acting chairman seriously and have expressed hope that Tarique Rahman will provide leadership to Bangladesh as an elected prime minister,” he said.

Humayun also said the Chinese envoy conveyed condolences over the death of BNP late chairperson Khaleda Zia.

“At the outset, the ambassador conveyed condolences on behalf of his country. You know that on the day [she] passed away, the Chinese prime minister conveyed condolences to the president at 7am,” he said.