Prime Minister Tarique Rahman resumed duties at his Bangladesh Secretariat office on Monday following his return from a four-day official visit to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During the morning hours, outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a farewell courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his Secretariat office.

Confirming the nature of the engagement, Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Mostafa Zulfiquar Hasan (Hasan Shiplu) stated, “It was a farewell meeting.”

During the discussion, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized the necessity of broadening economic ties between the two nations, underscoring further expansion in trade, investment, and development cooperation, alongside addressing critical issues of mutual concern, including the ongoing Rohingya crisis.

In response, Ambassador Yao Wen reaffirmed Beijing's ongoing commitment to Bangladesh's national growth, stating that China's support for Bangladesh's development efforts would continue.

The outgoing diplomat also expressed confidence that bilateral relations would be strengthened further.

Additionally, Ambassador Yao Wen congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his successful participation in the UNGA session and various accompanying programs in New York.

The farewell meeting was attended by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun while the Chinese envoy was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy Dr Liu Yuyin.

Following the Chinese diplomat's visit, United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Alhmoudi was scheduled to meet the Prime Minister around noon.

Later in the afternoon, the Prime Minister was slated to preside over a cabinet meeting at approximately 4 pm at the Secretariat, where matters addressed during his recent visit to the United States were expected to figure prominently in the discussions.