China’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said that now is the right time for Bangladesh to accelerate the development of renewable energy and solar power as the country faces a major energy crisis.

He made the remarks on Thursday (August 27) after meeting with Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moin Khan and State Minister Mir Shahe Alam at the Ministry of Local Government at the Secretariat.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Yao Wen said Bangladesh is currently facing a significant energy crisis. Against this backdrop, China is working with Bangladesh on energy and solar power initiatives, which were also discussed during the meeting.

“I believe that now is the right time for Bangladesh to develop renewable energy or solar power. This can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels,” Yao Wen said.

He said there are many opportunities for cooperation between Bangladesh and China to address the country’s energy supply shortage. China’s capabilities could also be utilized in the renewable energy sector, he added.

The Chinese ambassador also discussed various aspects of bilateral relations during the meeting. He said a “historic opportunity” has emerged for cooperation between the two countries. In particular, he noted that relations between Bangladesh and China have entered a new phase following the Bangladesh prime minister’s recent visit to China.

According to Yao Wen, the two countries have decided through a joint communiqué to build a Bangladesh-China community with a shared future in the new era. Cooperation in various areas, including the economy, is being expanded under the initiative.

The ambassador said that within the past two months following the prime minister’s visit, construction of the China-Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Chattogram was inaugurated. Work on the Mongla Port project is also progressing, while China is cooperating with Bangladesh on a feasibility study for the Teesta River project.

He added that projects to construct a residential hall for female students at Dhaka University and a 1,000-bed hospital are also moving forward.

Yao Wen said that alongside economic cooperation, China is placing importance on expanding cooperation in education and strengthening people-to-people connectivity between the two countries.