ISTANBUL

China on Friday welcomed the establishment of a transitional government in neighboring Bangladesh.

Beijing "respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Bangladesh, said the Foreign Ministry in a statement from Beijing.

It said China respects the "development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people."

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, 84, was sworn in Thursday as head of a 17-member transitional administration.

His appointment came after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh early this week on Monday, following mass protests against her government that killed more than 400.

A day later, President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the parliament, which was elected in January when Hasina became prime minister for a fourth time.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has demanded a national election within three months to hand power to the people’s representatives.

Beijing said it "strictly adheres to non-interference in other countries' affairs and firmly supports its policy of good neighborliness and friendship with the people of Bangladesh."

"China values its relations with Bangladesh, and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas and further advance our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership," it added.