Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin were present at the ceremony for the air shipment of the first consignment of Bangladeshi mangoes to China. Photo- Chinese Embassy

DHAKA, May 28, 2025 (BSS) – Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today reaffirmed Beijing’s readiness to deepen its strategic partnership with Dhaka, emphasizing mutual respect, support, and cooperation amid evolving global economic challenges.

“China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to continue upholding mutual respect and support, equality, and win-win cooperation,” the ambassador said at a ceremony marking the air shipment of the first consignment of Bangladeshi mangoes to China.

The event was held at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, in presence of Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin.

The Chinese envoy underlined the importance of stronger collaboration in the face of global uncertainties.

“At present, the international landscape remains volatile and unstable,” he said, adding, “The trade wars unilaterally initiated by the United States have severely disrupted the stability of the global economic order. All countries, including China and Bangladesh, call for a peaceful world and a stable international environment.”

Yao noted that China is keen to enhance multilateral engagement and trade facilitation between the two nations. 

“We will also strengthen coordination and collaboration within multilateral frameworks such as the WTO, and promote the integrated development of industrial and supply chains between our two countries,” he added. 

He termed the export of Bangladeshi mangoes to China as a concrete outcome of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s high-profile visit to Beijing earlier this year.

“At the end of March this year, Honorable Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus paid a successful visit to Beijing. The outcomes are beyond expectations. Today, the exportation of Bangladeshi mangoes to China marks a concrete step in implementing the outcomes,” the envoy said.

He said the mango export would significantly contribute to correcting the existing trade imbalance while strengthening agricultural trade links between the two countries.

“The entry of Bangladeshi mangoes into the Chinese market will not only help expand the bilateral trade volume and improve trade imbalances, more importantly, it reflects the mutually beneficial and win-win essence of our economic cooperation,” he said.

The Chinese envoy emphasized the unique quality of Bangladeshi mangoes, noting that they are cultivated in the fertile soils of the Ganges Delta and represent environmentally friendly, high-quality agricultural produce. 

He pointed out that their entry into the Chinese market offers consumers in China a more diverse selection of fruits, enhancing dietary variety and overall well-being.

The envoy further highlighted that access to the vast Chinese market holds significant promise for Bangladesh and it is expected to accelerate industrial advancement in the mango sector, generate employment opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s broader socio-economic development.

He said China is reviewing the market access process for Bangladeshi guavas and jackfruits and exploring imports of other products, including raw animal hides and the iconic Hilsa fish.

“I am confident that the exportation of Bangladeshi mangoes to China is just a starting point. China has already initiated market access review for Bangladeshi guavas and jackfruits,” he said, 

He conveyed confidence that, in the near future, a growing number of high-quality Bangladeshi agricultural products will find their place on the shelves of Chinese supermarkets, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both nations.

Yao also revealed that an unprecedented Chinese trade delegation will visit Bangladesh within days to further advance bilateral commercial ties.

“I am more than delighted to share with you that in just two days, H.E. Wang Wentao, Honorable Minister of Commerce of China, will lead a delegation consisting of over 100 Chinese companies to visit Bangladesh. My Bangladeshi friends have told me that this will be the largest business delegation ever visited Bangladesh in history,” he said.

The ambassador said that the visit would serve as a platform for business communities of both countries to explore more cooperation opportunities, foster more fruitful outcomes in China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation. 

He also hoped that it would elevate the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to new heights.

The envoy reiterated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s commitment to global economic openness. “Chinese President Xi Jinping has pointed out on several occasions that China's door of opening up will not close, but will only open wider and wider,” he said.

Officials said 100 tonnes of fresh mangoes are expected to be exported to China this season, with the first 10-tonne consignment flown to Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, via a freighter flight operated by SF Express.