China, Bangladesh discuss family card, social protection

China and Bangladesh have discussed cooperation in social protection, with the Chinese ambassador praising the Family Card initiative launched by the government.

Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr A Z Zahid Hossain made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and a three-member delegation at the minister's office in the Secretariat on Monday, March 30. Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf was also present.

In the meeting, Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain said China is a long-standing friend of Bangladesh in terms of development cooperation, strategic partnership and mutual respect. He noted that China is far ahead in technology, particularly in smart card technology, where it is one of the world's most successful nations.

Highlighting the ministry's activities in implementing the Family Card, one of the current government's key election pledges, the minister said the Family Card is a database-driven digital social protection platform. It will work to ensure family-based social protection in education, health, nutrition security, poverty alleviation and women's empowerment. He added that China's experience could be highly effective in transforming the Family Card programme into a transparent and technology-dependent social protection system. He also expressed hope for China's cooperation in developing the country's vast population, especially those in marginalised areas, into skilled human resources and creating employment opportunities.

The ambassador praised the Family Card initiative, saying it has already gained immense popularity among low-income people in Bangladesh.

He said China is keen to further strengthen friendship and cooperation with Bangladesh not only in infrastructure development but also in the social protection sector. By working in education, healthcare and poverty alleviation, China wants to contribute to improving the lives of local people in Bangladesh so that they can achieve sustainable self-reliance.