CA Yunus off to China, aiming to take Dhaka-Beijing ties to new heights

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday left for China on a four-day official visit with the aim of strengthening the relationship between Bangladesh and China.

A special China Southern flight carrying the Chief Adviser and his entourage left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 1pm.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Road Transport and Bridges; and Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative to Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed and CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam are accompanying the Chief Adviser.

Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md Nazmul Islam and Vice Governor of Hainan Province will receive the Chief Adviser upon his arrival at Qionghai Bo'ao International Airport at around 7pm, a senior official told UNB.

"I will meet with President Xi Jinping. I will also meet with CEOs of major Chinese businesses," Yunus said ahead of the visit.

The bilateral meeting will be held at the Great Hall of China on 28 March.

Addressing the nation yesterday evening (25 March), Yunus said the world's largest Chinese solar panel manufacturer Longji has expressed interest in setting up a factory in Bangladesh.

"We are working with them. In addition, technical assistance, medical assistance, low-cost treatment and other issues will be discussed," he said, adding that they (China) want to import mangoes, jackfruit and guava from Bangladesh. 

"This will start very soon."

Bangladesh and China are set to sign several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare to hold a bilateral meeting in Beijing on 28 March.

The bilateral cooperation documents are likely to be signed in the areas of human resource development, economic and technical assistance, cultural and sports cooperation, and cooperation between the media.

Besides, announcements related to economy, investment, and economic zones are likely to be made, said Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin.

The two leaders will discuss various strategic bilateral issues between Bangladesh and China, trade and investment promotion, cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy sectors, and resolving the Rohingya issue, among other matters of mutual interest between the two countries, said the Foreign Secretary.

The Foreign Secretary said China is Bangladesh's best friend, closest neighbour, strategic partner, and one of the largest commercial and development partners.

Bangladesh and China enjoy excellent diplomatic relations, which are deepening, he said, adding that this year, the two countries have undertaken programs to celebrate 50 years of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.

The Foreign Secretary said the visit would add a new dimension to Dhaka-Beijing relations with further momentum.

The Chief Adviser will attend roundtable discussions on Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy Investment; Bangladesh 2.0 Manufacturing and Market Opportunities; Social Business, Youth Entrepreneurship and the World of Three Zeros.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus' visit to China would be "very successful, productive and a milestone visit" with some announcements.

CA Yunus' scheduled visit to China from 26-29m March is going to be the "most important visit" by a Bangladesh leader over the last 50 years, as the two countries are eyeing to take the relations to a new height.

"This is going to be the most important visit by a Bangladeshi leader in 50 years," said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, quoting Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, who met Yunus on 16 March.

Alam said a big focus will be given on the relocation of Chinese factories to Bangladesh to make the country a manufacturing hub.

"We want to create a revolution in the manufacturing sector," said the press secretary, adding that it helps create more jobs and boost exports from Bangladesh to the global market.

He said there will be a series of engagements during the chief adviser's China visit.

On the sidelines of the forum, Alam said the chief adviser is likely to have meetings with CEOs of some companies.

Dhaka and Beijing are eyeing stronger ties, marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.

The chief adviser will attend a programme on 29 March at Peking University and will return to Dhaka at night (same day).

As per the plans, the chief adviser will first attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, South China's Hainan Province.

On 27 March, Prof Yunus will participate in the inaugural plenary session of the BFA and the Executive Vice President of the State Council will meet the Chief Adviser the same day.

On 25 August last year, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed the Chinese leadership's invitation to Yunus to visit China at his convenience.

"China and Bangladesh are best friends and trustworthy partners. So, whatever change is taking place internationally or domestically in Bangladesh, our policy remains steadfast," Ambassador Yao said recently, adding that no matter who forms the government ,China wants to be their partner and their policy is not related to any particular government.

He said they believe their cooperation is for the benefit of all the Bangladeshi people and the people of China as well.

BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun said that with the theme "Asia in the changing World: Towards a shared Future," this year's event will focus on development, foster dialogue, explore innovative formats, and value tangible outcomes, all aimed at promoting international development and cooperation.

He said the theme is intended to reinvigorate multilateralism, promote openness and development, jointly respond to global challenges, and carry out the commitments of the UN Summit of the Future while focusing on the development of Asia.

Many heads of international and regional organisations, ministerial-level officials, entrepreneurs of Fortune Global 500, and renowned experts and scholars have already confirmed their participation in the annual conference, Zhang said.

He said the event will focus on four subject areas: building trust and promoting cooperation in a fast-changing world; rebalancing globalisation for inclusive development; accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals for more effective responses to global challenges; and strengthening AI application and governance for innovation-driven development.