RAJSHAHI, Feb 10, 2024 (BSS) - China has so far invested $7.07 billion in Bangladesh and the Chinese companies have received construction contracts worth $22.94 billion in different development sectors.

Apart from this, Chinese involvement in the Second Phase of the Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant Project is also laudable, observed experts and development activists while addressing a cultural function to mark the Chinese New Year 2024 at Lalon Shah open stage in the Rajshahi city today.

The Chinese New Year, alternatively called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, holds significant cultural importance in China, marking the most crucial festivity for families spanning a week of official public holiday.

With roots dating back approximately 3,500 years, the festival has seen extensive evolution, with its customs evolving gradually over time.

Various development organizations, particularly Bangladesh Working Group for Ecology and Development-(BWGED), Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and Paribartan, Rajshahi, jointly organized the mass-gathering and mobilization ceremony.

Program Officer of Poribartan Soma Hassan, District Manager of Ain o Salish Kendra Hasibul Hassan Pallab and development activists Tahera Khatun and Fatema Sarker addressed the function.

Soma Hassan said China has become the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) source of Bangladesh and expressed gratitude and appreciation for their continuous support.

Soma mentioned that China has been the world's largest and fastest-growing producer of renewable power for more than a decade and its lead has widened with an acceleration of solar and wind power capacity in recent years.

China has also made amazing progress in switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Hasibul Hassan Pallab said China has constructed the largest renewable energy generation system in the world with a 7,142 TWh capacity with creative design, reasonably priced technology and systemic adjustments.