Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus arrived in Beijing on Thursday night for a crucial bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, aiming to strengthen Dhaka-Beijing ties and advance mutual strategic interests.
Upon his arrival at Beijing International Airport at 10:20 pm (China time), Yunus was warmly received by China's Vice Minister Sun Weidong. Children also greeted him with flowers, marking a warm welcome. Yunus, who previously participated in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, attended multiple bilateral engagements before arriving in Beijing.
Accompanying him on the four-day visit are Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Power, Energy, and Infrastructure Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative to the Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed, and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
On Friday morning, chief adviser will receive a guard of honor at the Great Hall of China before meeting with President Xi Jinping for bilateral discussions. Their agenda includes trade and investment expansion, cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, and addressing the Rohingya crisis. Both leaders will pose for a joint photo following their discussions.
Additionally, Yunus will participate in the Investment Dialogue with Chinese business leaders, highlighting Bangladesh’s business-friendly environment and encouraging Chinese investment. He will also engage in three roundtable discussions covering sustainable infrastructure and energy investment, manufacturing and market opportunities in Bangladesh, and social business and youth entrepreneurship.
These sessions will bring together CEOs, social business experts, high-ranking Chinese officials, and young entrepreneurs from both nations.
On Saturday, Yunus will visit Peking University, where he will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate and deliver a speech. Later, he will sit for an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) and Xinhua, discussing Bangladesh-China relations and global contemporary issues. In the evening, he will attend a dinner hosted by the Bangladeshi Ambassador to China.
Bangladesh and China are set to sign multiple agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on 28 March, covering human resource development, economic and technical assistance, cultural and sports cooperation, and media collaboration.
Additionally, new announcements on economic cooperation, investments, and economic zones are expected.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen described the visit as “a milestone,” predicting significant agreements and progress.
Chief Adviser Yunus recently revealed that China’s largest solar panel manufacturer, Longji, has expressed interest in establishing a factory in Bangladesh. Other topics under discussion include medical assistance, low-cost healthcare, and increased Bangladeshi exports to China, including mangoes, jackfruit, and guava.
With 2025 marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China, the visit is expected to deepen cooperation and open new economic opportunities between the two nations.
