Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said that Bangladesh stands at a "crucial crossroads of transformations" and suggested that China's model of modernization may offer valuable insights for Bangladesh and other nations of the Global South seeking sustainable development.
“Modernization is a shared task for the Global South. In just a few decades, China has achieved what took Western nations centuries,” said Ambassador Yao, citing China’s twin accomplishments of rapid economic growth and sustained social stability as a new model of development—distinct from the Western template.
He made the remarks while speaking at the China-Bangladesh Readers Forum on Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, held at a hotel in Dhaka, as part of the Bangladesh-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The event celebrated the launch of the Bengali edition of Volume One of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, a widely circulated collection of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speeches, writings, and interviews from 2012 to 2022.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, who recently accompanied Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on an official visit to China, attended as chief guest. Other speakers included BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher, and China International Communications Group (CICG) President Du Zhanyuan.
“This forum is a significant step in deepening Bangladesh-China relations, especially in the field of governance and intellectual exchange,” said Ambassador Yao, noting that the governance philosophy of President Xi offers a framework of “amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness.”
The ambassador highlighted the book’s growing global reach: over 42 language editions, distribution in 180 countries, and a presence in 1,700 major libraries worldwide. “It’s the most influential leadership book in contemporary times, a must-read to understand China's success,” he said.
He added that many Bangladeshi friends have asked how China succeeded in lifting 100 million people out of poverty. “You may find the answers in this book,” he said, underscoring the value of theoretical guidance in shaping development models.
Referring to the recent visit of Chief Adviser Prof Yunus to Beijing, Ambassador Yao said both sides reached consensus on multiple fronts, including enhancing political trust and cooperation in governance. He also drew a parallel between President Xi’s vision for a shared global future and Prof Yunus’s "World of Three Zeros"—a world without poverty, unemployment, and carbon emissions.
The CICG President, Du Zhanyuan, echoed the ambassador’s sentiments, expressing hope for continued collaboration between the two countries toward shared development, peace, and prosperity.
Ambassador Yao concluded by saying, “This is not just a book; it is a platform for mutual learning. We look forward to the release of subsequent volumes in Bengali to continue this important dialogue.”
