Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, termed Jamaat-e-Islami as a well-organized political party.
He came up with the term during a courtesy meeting with the party's Ameer, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Monday.
Since the start of trials for war crimes in March 2010, no diplomat has visited Jamaat’s office until now.
The police sealed the office in September of the following year, and it reopened after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August due to a student-led uprising.
After meeting with Jamaat's Amir, the Chinese ambassador praised Bangladesh as a beautiful country and described Jamaat-e-Islami as well-organized.
He expressed that China desires a friendly relationship with the people of Bangladesh and will continue to work towards Bangladesh's development, progress, and prosperity.
During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, China was seen as a close ally of the Awami League after India.
Despite the disputed elections from 2014 to 2018, the alliance remained strong.
However, after Sheikh Hasina's fall, China has been one of the few countries discussing cooperation with the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Jamaat’s Ameer, accompanied by the ambassador, informed the media that discussions included matters of mutual interest, including education, culture, and development.
The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Bangladesh relations, inter-party exchanges and cooperation and other issues of common concern.
Ambassador Yao said that at present, Bangladesh is at a historical crossroads.
“China is committed to deepening exchanges and cooperation with the Interim Government, all political parties and all walks of life in Bangladesh to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries and promote the continuous development of the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, to bring more benefit to the two countries and the two peoples.”
Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman appreciated China's great contribution to the economic and social development of Bangladesh.
He reiterated Jamaat’s firm support for the One-China Principle and it is willing to strengthen cooperation between the two parties and the two countries with the Chinese side.
He also requested China to be more active in investment and the rehabilitation of Rohingyas.
Present at the meeting were Jamaat’s Nayeeb-e-Amir Mujibur Rahman, Dr Syed Abdullah Md Taher, Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, and other senior leaders.