Strengthening Bangladesh-China relations through Dr Muhammad Yunus's visit: Opportunities and expectations

Dr Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, went to China for a four-day visit on 26 March. He attended the Boao Forum for Asian Conference in the southern province of Hainan. The primary focus of the 28-nation summit was creating Asia's future in a changing global environment. The primary subjects of discussion at this conference were suggested by this slogan. To what extent have Asian nations been able to adjust to the economic, social, political, and technological changes that have occurred globally over the past few decades? Or is it the Asian countries' preparation? How can Asian nations cooperate in the future to bring about this change? Heads of state, government, industry, policymakers, academics, researchers, information technologists, and specialists in a range of social change domains convened at the Boao Conference to deliberate on these topics. This conference is often known as the Dubs of Asia due to its significance.

The Boao Conference's plenary opening session was addressed by Dr Muhammad Yunus. In addition, on 28 March, he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. He gave a lecture to students and accepted an honorary doctorate from Peking University on the 29th. The chief adviser's visit is bilateral and has been taken extremely seriously by China. Additionally, a special plane has been dispatched from China to transport the Chief Adviser to the nation. Both Dr Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh as a nation are greatly honored by this. Dr Muhammad Yunus's visit to China coincides with Bangladesh and China commemorating their golden jubilee, or 50 years of diplomatic ties. This marks a significant turning point in the two nations' relationship.

The visit of Dr Muhammad Yunus presents China and Bangladesh with enormous opportunities. Anwara, Chittagong, Bangladesh is being developed as a special economic zone for China. With the Chief Adviser's visit, it is anticipated that a large number of Chinese businesspeople will decide to invest in this area. Under the Belt and Road Initiative (One Belt, One Road), 35 development projects totaling $40 billion are currently under process in Bangladesh. Given the significance, the results of a number of projects are already available. The padma bridge, the padma bridge rail link, metrorail, the Karnaphuli tunnel, the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, and the Patuakhali-built Payra Thermal Power Plant are all surrounded by twelve roadways. About six lakh jobless persons have found work in the ongoing projects under the Belt and Road Initiative over the past nine years. There are more than 1,000 Chinese businesses operating in Bangladesh. One may argue that as China continues to invest in Bangladesh, the number of job prospects would grow daily. The government of Bangladesh is pursuing this objective. Bangladesh has already taken a number of steps to facilitate easy and seamless investment. Beginning with the opening of One-Stop, the government is committed to making investments in Bangladesh environmentally sustainable. China is moving its numerous industrial factories to neighboring countries for global causes. Bangladesh might take advantage of this chance to establish itself as a manufacturing hub in this region. According to the government of Bangladesh, this matter was significant at Dr Muhammad Yunus's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Bangladesh also asked China to lower the interest rate it pays. 

Bangladesh has a $16.45 billion trade deficit with China. Bangladesh must make progress in this area. It should concentrate on exporting new goods to China and lowering the trade imbalance. Currently, 98% of Bangladesh's products are duty-free in China; this benefit ought to be taken advantage of in order to lower the trade deficit. Statistics show that a large number of Bangladeshi students study in China each year. By 2023, more than 20,000 students had been accepted into the country's colleges and institutions. There should be employment options for these students. Bangladesh and China both provide possibilities to work in the vital field of health. Two million Bangladeshi patients travel to India each year for medical care, according to data. India stopped granting medical visas to Bangladeshis following the 5 August student protest in Bangladesh last year. China has also stepped forward. In Kunming, four hospitals have been set aside for patients from Bangladesh. On 10 March, a group of 14 people traveled to Kunming, China, to visit a physician. For so many patients, four hospitals is a pretty small number. Bangladesh has suggested constructing a few cutting-edge medical facilities in Dhaka. Chinese investors have a lot of opportunities here. China and Bangladesh may establish a long-lasting friendship as a result. In addition, India's objections have caused the Teesta project management to stall for a lengthy time. China should be tasked by the government of Bangladesh with managing the Teesta River. in order for China to use our local technology to develop an environmentally friendly solution. The Rohingya's return is another major problem. They must, however, be returned to Myanmar, their own country. China has significant influence over Myanmar. If China is honest, the Rohingya citizens could be sent back to their native country of Myanmar.

Lastly, it may be concluded that Dr Muhammad Yunus is a well-known and respected figure in the West. In China, he is also well-known for his social business. He has made multiple trips to China prior to this. Dr Muhammad Yunus's visit marks a significant turning point in the two nations' relationship. According to Yao Wen, the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, Chief Adviser Dr Yunus' visit to China was a significant turning point in the two nations' relations and affairs. Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus's press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, stated that this was the most significant visit by a Bangladeshi leader in the past half-century. Without a doubt, this was the most important visit ever. This visit marks the start of a new journey between China and Bangladesh. 

Dr Md Shahabul Haque is a professor of Political Studies at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology in Sylhet, Bangladesh

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard