CA begins day at Boao with packed schedule; holds talks with Chinese vice premier

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Thursday morning met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, who is attending the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, and discussed issues of shared interests and mutual cooperation.

The meeting was held at Bo'ao State Guest House and lasted for over 30 minutes.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, had separate meetings earlier on Wednesday with other foreign leaders who are attending the conference.

Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of China Chen Huaiyu met the Chief Adviser today (Thursday), a senior official told UNB.

After the meeting, he will go to the BFA International Convention Centre to address the opening plenary of the Bo'ao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025.

Zhang Jun, Secretary General of Bo'ao Forum for Asia, Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of Bo'ao Forum for Asia and Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Lao PDR will also speak at the session while Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of China, will deliver the keynote speech.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Dr Yunus will hold bilateral meetings with the former Secretary-General of the United Nations and the current Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, Ban Ki-moon, Prime Minister of Lao PDR, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, the Director-General of FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) and several other notable participants of the conference, said Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin.

Themed "Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future", the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 is being held here from March 25 to 28 in Boao, South China's Hainan Province.

Boao is a coastal town in the city of Qionghai, Hainan.

The Chief Adviser is on a four-day visit through which Dr Yunus thinks the relationship between Bangladesh and China would further be deepened.

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.

The Chief Adviser is scheduled to leave Qionghai Bo'ao International Airport for Beijing at 7pm (China time), an official told UNB.

Dr Yunus will reach Beijing International Airport at around 10:55pm (China time) after approximately four hours journey by air.

The Chief Adviser will be received by Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of China. Kids will also greet Dr Yunus with flowers.

On Friday morning, Dr Yunus will be at the Great Hall of China amid static guard of honour.

After the meeting, Dr Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping will pose for a joint photo.

They will discuss various strategic bilateral issues between Bangladesh and China, trade and investment growth, agriculture, infrastructure, support for renewable energy sectors, and resolving the Rohingya issue, as well as overall issues of mutual interest between the two countries, Jashim Uddin said.

Dr Yunus will participate in an event called "Investment Dialogue" with Chinese business leaders, organised to inform the Chinese investors about the business-friendly environment in Bangladesh and attract Chinese investment in Bangladesh.

The Chief Adviser will participate in three roundtable discussions on different themes - Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy Investment, Bangladesh 2.0 Manufacturing and Market Opportunities and Social Business, Youth Entrepreneurship and the World of Three Zeros at the same venue, where he will exchange views with CEOs of various companies, experienced individuals from the Social Business Circle, high-ranking officials of renowned Chinese companies, business representatives and the young generation of Bangladeshis and Chinese.

On Saturday morning, the Chief Adviser will visit Peking University and receive the Honorary Doctorate.

After receiving the Honorary Doctorate Degree, the Chief Adviser will deliver a speech to the audience.

In the afternoon, Dr Yunus will give exclusive interview to China Media Group (CMG), a renowned Chinese media organisation, and Xinhua (likely) where various aspects of the multidimensional relations between Bangladesh and China and the future direction of Bangladesh's position on various contemporary international issues will be shared.

The Chief Adviser will attend a dinner to be hosted by the Ambassador of Bangladesh to China.

Bilateral Instruments to Signed

Bangladesh and China are set to sign several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) as Dr Yunus and President Xi Jinping will hold a bilateral meeting in Beijing on March 28.

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 Jashim Uddin.

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 this year the two countries have undertaken programs to celebrate the 50 years of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.

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

A Milestone Visit

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.

Dr Yunus' visit to China 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.

Alam said a big focus will be given on 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.

"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.

The Chief Adviser is scheduled to leave Beijing International Airport for Dhaka at 4:45pm (China time).

Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of China and Ambassador of Bangladesh to China are likely to be there at the airport to see him off.

The Chief Adviser is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:40pm.

Addressing the nation on Tuesday evening, Dr 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."