The envoy was told to leave due to what Ecuador called "unfortunate" comments from the Mexican president AMLO about the South American country's elections last year. Ecuador on Thursday declared Mexico's ambassador to Quito persona non grata and said she would be leaving the country "shortly." The move comes over statements made by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known as "AMLO," about the 2023 presidential elections in Ecuador. What do we know about Ecuador's decision to expel the Mexican ambassador? Lopez Obrador had commented on the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was killed in the run up to an election in August 2023. Villavicencio was shot dead on August 9 at a crowded political rally in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, by a group of heavily armed men. He had been known for denouncing major cases of corruption. In its Thursday statement, Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said that the South American country was "still grieving" Villavicencio's death. The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry invoked the principle of "non-intervention" in the affairs of other countries and the Vienna convention as grounds for the departure of the Mexican ambassasdor. It stressed that the ambassador's expulsion did not mean that Ecuador was breaking diplomatic relations with Mexico. Former President Rafael Correa derided the announcement in a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying: "Is this serious?" Correa's former vice president, Jorge Glas, has been holed up in Mexico's embassy in Quito since late last year after a warrant was issued for his arrest. What else did Lopez Obrador say? Lopez Obrador compared the Villavicencio's killing with violence during Mexico's current election season, with several local candidates having been gunned down. Mexico's election is scheduled for June. The Mexican leader suggested that a "female candidate" who was leading in the presidential race at one point was unfairly linked to the killing of Villavicencio. Leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez, who had worked under Correa, lost the October presidential runoff to Daniel Noboa. Lopez Obrador blamed the media for what he called a "charged atmosphere of violence" in the run-up to the election. "I'm talking about this so that owners of media outlets and those who are participating in these campaigns take responsibility," he said.

On January 22nd, 2024, the handover ceremony of the Golden Great Wall Commemorative Medal by the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China to the Minister of Home Affairs of Bangladesh was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Ambassador Yao Wen attended and handed over the commemorative medal and certificate of honor on behalf of the Chinese side. Honorable Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan, Member of Parliament and Minister of Home Affairs together with 80 senior officials from Bangladeshi police attended the ceremony. Ambassador Yao Wen conveyed the cordial greetings from Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong to Honorable Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan. He emphasized that the Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh has made outstanding contributions over the past years in ensuring the personal and property safety of Chinese citizens in Bangladesh and promoting cooperation in the fields of law enforcement and security between China and Bangladesh. In this regard, the Ministry of Public Security of China conferred Honorable Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan with the Golden Great Wall Commemorative Medal. China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue to deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of citizens of the two countries and advance China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation. Honorable Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan kindly requested Ambassador Yao to convey his heartfelt thanks and cordial greetings to Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, and said that the awarding of Golden Great Wall Commemorative Medal by the Ministry of Public Security of China is a great honor for the Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh and himself, which is a vivid manifestation of the friendly cooperation between Bangladesh and China in law enforcement and security. The Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh will, as always, make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and enterprises in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is willing to work with China to push bilateral cooperation in law enforcement and security to a new level.

On January 21st, 2024, H.E. Mr. Yao Wen, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, called on H.E. Mr. Mohammad Ali Arafat, Honorable Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting. The two sides had in-depth discussion on people-to-people exchanges, communication, and media cooperation. Mr. Zhang Jing, Political Director of the Embassy, was present at the meeting. Ambassador Yao congratulated H.E. Mr. Mohammad Ali Arafat for his assumption to office, and reiterated China’s consistent and unswerving support for Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, unity and stability, and in opposing external interference. Under the joint guidance by the two leaderships, the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation has kept advancing. Over the past years, personnel and cultural exchanges have become a promising growth point for bilateral relations. China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to further enhance such exchanges, promote mutual learning on media and communication, thereby strengthen the bonds between the two peoples. H.E. Mr. Mohammad Ali Arafat appreciated China for its everlasting and firm support for Bangladesh’s national development and construction. He noted that the Chinese side has made significant contribution to the promotion of the Bangladeshi people’s wellbeing. The Bangladeshi side is ready to further deepen bilateral practical cooperation with China in various fields. Personnel and cultural exchanges are fundamental for promoting people-to-people contact. He is willing to make his own contribution to the friendly cooperation between the two countries on cultural exchanges, communication and media cooperation during his tenure in the present office.

On 17 January 2024, H.E. Mr. Yao Wen, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, called on H.E. Mr. Ahsanul Islam (Titu), MP, Honorable State Minister of Commerce.     The two sides spoke highly of the major achievements in trade and investment between China and Bangladesh, and agreed to expand the scale of bilateral trade, especially the export of Bangladeshi high-quality specialty products to China.   They also deeply discussed on promoting China-Bangladesh FTA negotiation, providing more financial support for bilateral trade, and attracting more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh, so as to help Bangladesh realize its export diversification strategy and benefit the Bangladeshi people.  

On January 8th, 2024, H.E. Mr. Yao Wen, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, called on H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Honorable Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, at Gonobhaban, Dhaka. Ambassador Yao congratulated HPM Sheikh Hasina for the successful holding of the 12th National Parliamentary Election and the winning of the Awami League. Ambassador Yao conveyed to HPM Sheikh Hasina the warm congratulations and best wishes from Chinese leaders.  He reaffirmed that the Chinese leaders are committed to working with HPM Sheikh Hasina to carry forward the long-established friendship, enhance mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation, thereby uplift the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new height. Ambassador Yao noted that both China and Bangladesh are at a critical stage of development and revitalization, and China would always be the most trustworthy partner and the most reliable friend of Bangladesh on the way to modernization.  Under the guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and HPM Sheikh Hasina, China and Bangladesh have set a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.  China will firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in opposing external interference.  China will also support Bangladesh in maintaining unity and stability, and in playing a more active role in international and regional affairs.  China is committed to assisting Bangladesh in realizing the “Vision 2041” and the dream of “Sonar Bangla” at an early date. Ambassador Yao said that China is prepared to strengthen all-round cooperation with Bangladesh, and take due actions to facilitate and expand trade and investment with Bangladesh, promote high-quality China-Bangladesh Belt and Road cooperation, and make its own contribution to realizing “Smart Bangladesh”.

Ambassador Yao Wen Attends Inauguration Ceremony of Chinese Economic and Idustrial Zone and Signing Ceremony of Enterprises Intending to Invest in CEIZ. Mr. Yao Wen, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, attended the inauguration ceremony of Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) and the signing ceremony of the enterprises intending to invest in CEIZ in Chattogram. Dr. Shaikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain, Joint Secretary of BEZA, Mr. Li Changgui, Vice President of CRBC, Mr. Song Yang, Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh attended the ceremonies. Ambassador Yao highlighted the pioneering significance of CEIZ, and urged CRBC to formulate more favorable investment policies and complete the construction of CEIZ at an early date. He noted that Chinese enterprises will build more industrial zones in the future, which will serve as a platform for the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and enhance China-Bangladesh economic cooperation.

German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann has said India, Germany have had wonderful cooperation so far and a great future awaits the two countries. "I see a great future. We have a wonderful cooperation so far. I see great room for intensified cooperation when it comes to business and more investments...I see more activities in the field of green and sustainable development, we have a partnership together...I see a great chance in migration...We have concluded a migration mobility partnership with the Indian government," the German Ambassador said while speaking on India-Germany ties. Ackermann was in Delhi's Nehru Park for the G20 tree plantation ceremony. He said: "It is a highly symbolic event. The G20 this year was a green G20 to a certain extent and it has to become greener. The Delhi Declaration reflects the 'Greenness' of the G20..." He further said that the current geopolitical circumstances are very difficult. "Under these circumstances, the Indian presidency did a miracle in coming up with this declaration, covering all important aspects in a very satisfactory way...I have to congratulate the Indian presidency for this declaration which is a meaningful declaration that sets the tone for the future G20 presidencies." Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar at the tree plantation ceremony said the G20 bridged strong positions, deep divides and turned out to be far better than most people expected. "About 3 weeks ago, I was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. I must share with you that the G20 was very much the subject of conversation. A lot of people were still a little surprised that the G20 could bridge what were strong positions and deep divides," the EAM said. "Many other countries also took particular satisfaction at the permanent membership of the African Union at the G20. But overall there was a sense in global diplomacy that this G20 actually delivered very substantively on what were the most pressing issues of the day. It turned out far better than most people expected," he added. India took over the G20 presidency on December 1 last year at the summit in Bali and will continue to hold the mantle till the end of November. India's theme for the G20 Presidency is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which translates to 'One Earth One Family One Future'. 

Bangladesh strongly condemns the growing civilian casualties including women and children as well as disproportionate use of force in Gaza.   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the statement after Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh Yousef S.Y. Ramadan met Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday, October 15. In that statement, Bangladesh also urges the international community to allow humanitarian assistance to the seized Gaza to avoid mounting humanitarian disaster and work towards a two-state solution to the Israel- Palestinian conflict based on the UNSC resolutions for a just and lasting solution and enduring peace in the region.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said the Johannesburg meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping showcased for one more time to the world the example of relations between developing countries jointly set up by Bangladesh and China. “It was the first face-to-face meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since the latter’s formal visit to China four years ago. We have long been waiting for this meeting. It would definitely tide up new momentum for our bilateral relations,” he told UNB in his first interview since arrival in Dhaka, noting that it is his sacred mission to fully implement the consensus reached by the two leaders to push the “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation” between the two countries to a new level. As briefed by Ambassador Yao, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Xi Jinping spoke highly of the traditional friendship and good relations between Bangladesh and China “based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs”. “It is high on my agenda to facilitate more in-person visits and meetings of this kind in the days to come,” he added. Relations in Challenging Situation Ambassador Yao said China and Bangladesh share significant commonalities in terms of moral values, national dreams and development paths. “Since President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly upgraded our bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership of Cooperation in 2016, we have set a model of friendly ties between developing countries for the world at large,” he said. China now stands as the single largest trade partner and a key development partner of Bangladesh. “Wherever I go in Bangladesh, the local people would always give me thumbs-up for China-Bangladesh friendship,” the ambassador said. At international arenas, China and Bangladesh both stand for peace and development. “We share similar views on hotspot issues like the Ukraine crisis. China’s effort to help resume Saudi-Iran diplomatic relations was also welcomed in Bangladesh,” he said. “China is working with Bangladesh in meeting regional and global challenges, such as the repatriation of displaced people from Rakhine State of Myanmar, tackling climate change, upholding the right to development, and supporting the UN peacekeeping efforts,” the envoy added. “Based on equal footing, mutual respect, joint development and common commitment to peace, relations between China and Bangladesh infuse the power of certainty and stability to an increasingly trembling world,” he said. Non-Intervention in Upcoming Election “China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,” President Xi said in the Johannesburg meeting, adding that China upholds Bangladesh’s efforts to fend off external interference and maintain domestic unity and stability, so as to ensure development and revitalization. Yao said the upcoming election is an internal affair of Bangladesh, and their policy is very consistent that China never intervenes in any country’s internal affairs. “The future of Bangladesh shall be determined by the Bangladeshi people,” said the ambassador adding “China is full of confidence for the better future of Bangladesh as well as China-Bangladesh relations.” For the time being, over 600 Chinese enterprises are functioning in Bangladesh, and tens of thousands of Chinese citizens are living and working here. According to Ambassador Yao, the Chinese companies proactively undertake social responsibilities on boosting local economy, protecting the environment, providing social services to host communities, help create job opportunities, build capacity for manpower and promote charity. “With their contribution and efforts, the hearts of the two peoples are brought together ever closer,” he said. When asked whether he is concerned about the interests of Chinese companies and citizens in the context of heated political air, Yao replied that the Chinese people are here for friendship and joint development with Bangladeshi people. “Their safety and security should surely be guaranteed, and their lawful interests should be protected,” he opined. Priorities Ahead Bangladesh and China will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025. “It would be a perfect occasion to review achievements in the past and map forward for the future,” the ambassador said. He promised that China would do its part to help Bangladesh to graduate from the LDCs by 2026, and fuel up joint development to achieve respective national dreams which are “well-connected”. “Practical cooperation is the cornerstone of China-Bangladesh relations. While implementing projects agreed during high-level visits back in 2016 and 2019, we will take the initiative with Bangladesh to figure out more under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) on connectivity infrastructure, renewable power section, blue economy, digital empowerment, so on and so forth,” said the Chinese envoy. In terms of trade, he said, local exporters are encouraged to fully leverage China’s 98% zero-tariff treatment for Bangladeshi products and showcase the brand of “Made in Bangladesh” on expositions held in China, such as China International Import Expo, China-South Asia Expo and Canton Fair. The Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chittagong should eye on high-end and high-value industries to serve the Smart Bangladesh development strategy as well as the high-quality development paradigm of China, he said. “We’d encourage Chinese entrepreneurs to increase investment in promising fields like new energy, ICT, advanced manufacturing, and agri-product processing,” Ambassador Yao said, adding that he would also push forward the cooperation on disaster management and relief, military exchanges, law enforcement coordination and maritime cooperation during his tenure in Dhaka. “Of course, as the Chinese ambassador, I’d play my role in mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar to facilitate the early and sustainable repatriation of displaced people from Rakhine State,” he underscored. BRI Project “The Belt and Road Initiative has brought about tangible benefit for the Bangladeshi people,” Ambassador Yao said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described BRI a ‘trailblazer’ for Bangladesh’s development.” This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launching of BRI and the 7th anniversary of Bangladesh’s participation in the initiative. “In recent years, we’ve witnessed completion of a good number of projects built under the BRI that have significantly changed the development landscape of Bangladesh, such as the Info-Sarker phase 3 project, the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, the Payra Thermal Power Plant, the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, among others,” he said. “Connectivity will be further improved between the Southwestern part and the rest of the country when the Banglabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuri River and the First Section of the Padma Bridge Railway Link open for traffic by the end of this year,” he noted. Asked about the latest status of on-going development projects, he said that projects like Modernization of Telecommunication Network for Digital Connectivity and the Installation of Single Point Mooring with Double Pipeline Project will be completed soon. “The Rajshahi WASA Surface Water Treatment Plant will start its construction, and the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project is also under discussion between authorities of the two sides,” he added. Global Development Initiative The Global Development Initiative (GDI), a twin sister of BRI, is said to be aimed at supporting the timely achievement of all 17 Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by revitalizing global development partnership and promoting stronger, greener and healthier global development. Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward GDI at the United Nations in 2021. It promotes international cooperation in eight priority areas, namely poverty alleviation, food security, pandemic response and vaccines, financing for development, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity in the digital-era. “All these are also the focus of Bangladesh in its Vision 2041 perspective plan,” said the ambassador. According to the United Nations, over 100 countries and international organizations have expressed their support to the initiative and 68 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI at the UN. This July, the first high-level meeting of the Global Action Forum for Shared Development was held in Beijing, with more than 800 guests from 158 countries and international organizations attending online and offline. Minister of Planning M.A. Mannan took part in the event on behalf of Bangladesh. “It is hoped that Bangladesh would make good use of China’s aid, preferential loans and the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to actively carry out policy dialogue, experience sharing, capacity building and practical cooperation,” said the ambassador. Producing Green Energy Responding to a question, the envoy said China, a key contributor to the Paris Agreement, pledged to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. “By 2035, China will broadly establish eco-friendly ways of work and life, lower carbon emissions after reaching a peak, improve the environment and largely accomplish the goal of building a ‘Beautiful China’,” he added. Bangladesh also faces critical challenges of environmental degradation and climate change. “Fortunately, the country has become well aware of the gravity of these issues, and has taken plausible actions,” the Chinese envoy said, noting that the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) adopted in 2020 plays a key role in guiding the country’s development paradigm into the track of green transition by 2030. “As Bangladesh and China converge on environmental goals, there heralds significant potentials for the two countries to synergize on green development strategies, thereby building a shared human community in harmony with nature,” said Ambassador Yao. “In fact, we’ve already kicked start cooperation in this regard. When I visited Cox’s Bazar a few months ago, I saw photovoltaic panels of Chinese brand on top of many roofs. A wind farm project is also being built there by Chinese contractors,” he added. Next Generation of Green Traffic It was reported that Bangladesh had its first electric vehicle (EV) charging station installed in Dhaka earlier this month. “I read it from newspaper. But there are only 35 EV registered in Bangladesh for the time being. That is a negligible amount compared to the 170 million population of Bangladesh,” he said. China is a key designer and manufacturer of EV. There are over 16 million EV and mixed-fuel vehicles running on the road of China, and the number is still soaring up. “We would encourage more Chinese EV manufacturers to come to Bangladesh, explore the local market, and meet the demand of Bangladeshi people, thereby helping Bangladesh transit towards the next generation of green traffic,” said the ambassador. People-to-People Exchanges In the interview, Ambassador Yao said people-to-people exchanges lay the foundation for Bangladesh-China friendship. Earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied a touching letter to Alifa Chin, a Bangladeshi teenager born with the help of Chinese navy hospital ship “Peace Ark” and named after China by her father. Expressing his hope that Chin would make best use of her youthful years and study hard to make her dream come true, President Xi encouraged her to give back to her family, contribute to the society, and serve her own country. “President Xi Jinping’s reply letter to Alifa Chin ushers in a new chapter for the intimate relations between the two peoples. From this start, we’d further enhance people-to-people exchanges between us,” said the ambassador. As of now, there are more than 12,000 Bangladeshi students studying in China. Three Confucius Institutes and classrooms are functioning in Bangladesh. The Chinese envoy sees them as “seed and hope” for enhanced mutual understandings. “The local media also play a unique role in influencing public opinion and bridging recognition gaps. It is my sincere hope that prominent media houses like UNB would keep producing objective and fair reports about China and China-Bangladesh cooperation, thereby contribute to the betterment of friendly ties between our two countries and peoples,” he said.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has held a meeting with Awami League leaders. Haas was holding the meeting with an AL delegation led by the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader. The meeting started after 11 am today. (reports UNB) Quader came to the AL central office on Bangabandhu Avenue around 10:30 am to attend the meeting with the US ambassador. AL Presidium Member Muhammad Faruk Khan, International Affairs Secretary Shammi Ahmed, Information and Research Secretary Selim Mahmud, Office Secretary Biplab Barua and Executive Member Mohammad Ali Arafat were also present at the time. An official of the US embassy is accompanying Peter Haas at the meeting.