China won’t intervene in Bangladesh’s internal issues: ambassador

China will not intervene in the internal issues of Bangladesh, including in the elections, said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today.

"Our policy is always the same. China never intervenes in other countries' internal issues. Election is Bangladesh's internal issue," he told reporters after a meeting with Planning Minister Abdul Mannan at the Planning Commission.

Sources said they discussed various issues including development projects, trade and investment at the meeting.

Yao Wen said China is a long-standing friend of Bangladesh and they are ready to support development projects here for the benefit of the people of the country.

Mannan said Bangladesh can take lessons from China's development story considering its vast experience and expertise in infrastructure development. It has working experience in Bangladesh too, he added.

"They have implemented 28 five-year plans and Bangladesh is implementing only its 8th five-year plan," he said after the meeting.

The minister said China is interested in investing in solar power and electric vehicle sectors in Bangladesh.

After the construction of the Padma Bridge, there is a better scope of development in the country's southwestern region. Chinese investors will be interested in investing in these sectors, he added.

"We assured the Chinese envoy that we consider China as a very important friend. We have got Chinese support in the past and are getting it now. We hope to have more support in the future too."

Mannan said he hopes China will more generously help Bangladesh by providing more duty-free quota-free facilities.