Amazing changes take place in China in 30 years: Bangladeshi journalist

By Huang Yanan

DHAKA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- "I couldn't recognize China in 1997 when I visited there again after 17 years," Bangladeshi senior journalist Mahfuz Ullah said here recently.

Ullah worked in Foreign Language Press as Bangla expert in Beijing from 1978 to 1980 when China just implemented the reform and opening up policy.

"The reform and opening up policy has made China rise so fast. I can't imagine China has become a developed country from a poor and backward country in such a short time," Ullah told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

"Amazing changes took place in China in 30 years. If I didn't see it I can't believe it," he said.

"Small roads have been replaced by highways. Low buildings have been replaced by skyscrapers. Shops have been replaced by shopping malls," he added.

Ullah appreciated the leadership of Chinese leaders with concentration on developing the country's economy and improving the people's living standard.

"When I was working in China, the people's living standard was low and had no access to enough essentials. But now their lives have improved a lot and can buy anything in the market," he said.

During the last 10 years, Ullah visited China three times. "Every time when I visited China, I could find new things, new development which attracted me so much," Ullah.

Ullah said China is now a country everybody is eager to visit. "I am really proud of what China has achieved in the last few decades," he said.

Ullah said he enjoyed the two years he spent in China and believed it was the best part of his life.

Ullah said as an expert, he was very much respected in China and was treated as a contributor for Chinese social modernization which he was very much honored.

After coming back in 1980, Ullah has been involved in the friendship cause to China and joined Bangladesh-China People's Friendship Association as an adviser.

Ullah has worked as a journalist for 40 years and he still writes columns for different newspapers on social economic issues. Besides journalism, Ullah founded a independent think tank "Center for Sustainable Development". Ullah is also the first Bangladeshi to be elected as a member of governing body of International Unionfor Conservation of Nature.

"China left me very good memories. I want to go again and see more development in China," he said.

Special Report: 30 Years of Reform & Opening Up