Mongla Port, Teesta projects among China-Bangladesh priorities: Yao Wen

Major infrastructure projects, including the Mongla Port and Teesta River projects, are among the high priorities in China-Bangladesh cooperation, alongside education and people-to-people exchanges, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said today (25 August).

“I consider, apart from these big projects, like Mongla Port, Teesta River, and all the other infrastructure projects, education is also one of the high priorities, or even a top priority in terms of China-Bangladesh cooperation, especially related to people-to-people contact,” he said.

The ambassador made the remarks at a validation workshop on the competency standard and Course Accreditation Document (CAD) for Chinese language, developed by the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), where he was the guest of honour.

He also highlighted the decision to introduce Chinese as one of the third languages in Bangladesh’s education curriculum.

“One of the most important results of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit is that he declared that Chinese will be one of the third languages to be included in the curriculum of Bangladesh’s education system,” Yao said.

China wants skilled Bangladeshi workers for global projects

China wants Bangladesh to develop a pool of skilled workers proficient in Chinese so they can find employment not only in Chinese companies operating in Bangladesh but also in projects being implemented by Chinese firms in other countries, the ambassador said.

“Our desire is, after their training in Bangladesh, they can also work in other countries, in other countries’ projects conducted by Chinese companies,” he said.

Yao said Chinese language training should be combined with vocational and technical education to prepare Bangladeshi youth for better employment opportunities as Chinese investment and economic engagement with Bangladesh continue to expand.

China has remained Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for the past 16 years and has cumulatively created more than 2.5 lakh jobs in Bangladesh, he said.

More than four lakh people travel between China and Bangladesh each year, while more than one lakh Bangladeshis are learning Chinese, according to the ambassador.

The growing economic relationship has created strong demand for Bangladeshi professionals and workers with Chinese language skills, he added.

NSDA develops first competency-based Chinese curriculum

The ambassador welcomed the NSDA’s initiative to develop a competency-based Chinese language curriculum, saying proficiency in the language could become an important tool for employment, trade, industrial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

The NSDA said it has developed Bangladesh’s first competency-based Chinese language competency standard and Course Accreditation Document with the participation of local and international experts.

The initiative aims to treat Chinese not merely as an academic subject but as a distinct occupational competency linked to employment and professional skills.

NSDA Executive Chairman (Secretary) Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury said the competency standard would establish a structured pathway from competency standards to curriculum, assessment and certification.

Adviser to the Ministry of Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah, the chief guest at the event, said Bangladesh should deepen cooperation with China in areas of national interest, particularly in light of China’s advances in high-quality development, innovation, robotics and artificial intelligence.

He said the Chinese language initiative should now move beyond workshops and be implemented in workplaces involving Chinese companies.