Flying to China to be made easier

China will start full-fledged flight operations with Bangladesh from February this year, according to the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen.

"For the last three years, we have limited people-to-people contact due to Covid-19. Now, as per the new international policy on travel, visiting China will be much easier," he said while inviting people from Bangladesh to visit China.

Yao made these comments while addressing a Chinese New Year or Spring Festival organised by the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni (ABCA) in collaboration with the Chinese embassy at a hotel in Dhaka on Friday.

Currently, Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla and China Southern operate flights to and from Bangladesh and China, but there are various restrictions and limitations imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic, causing difficulties for student and businesses travellers.

 "The Chinese embassy will open facilities to smoothen connectivity among the people of both countries for extending education, trade, and cultural relations," the envoy said.

Yao then said that China-Bangladesh cooperation and bilateral relations have reached a new width, indicating a promising future.

He thanked the ABCA for playing a vital role in boosting ties between Bangladesh and China in terms of culture, education, and people-to-people communication, while emphasising on more programmes like seminars, and symposiums to boost bilateral relations.

Referring to Chinese humanitarian supports for the flood-affected people in Bangladesh's eastern district of Sylhet, the envoy added that such friendly support from China would continue.

Yao went on to say that China is interested in boosting the existing friendly ties to the highest level in the coming days.

Addressing the event as chief guest, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said the friendly ties between Bangladesh and China should not be limited to merely diplomatic relations as the people-to-people connectivity and cultural bondage between the two nations are thousands of years old.

"So, there should be more cultural exchange," she added.

ABCA President Munshi Faiz Ahmad, a former ambassador of Bangladesh to China, chaired the event while ABCA General Secretary Dr Shahabul Haque, also a professor of political science at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, delivered the welcome address.