Beijing, 30 March 2025 (Media Reports)

'It's very important that we see China as our good friend', said Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, adding, 'Our relationship has been very strong over the years. Our business is very strong and we benefit from our collaboration with China'. As the head of the government, Dr. Yunus chose China as his first destination for a bilateral visit. He along with his 57-member delegation visited China recently on a 4-day state visit to China, which took off from March 26-29.⁩

Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has pledged a total financial package of $40 billion for Bangladesh—$26 billion allocated for various infrastructure projects and $14 billion for joint investment ventures. So far, China has approved $4.45 billion in loans for 35 projects.

During his discussion on 27 March, with Exim Bank Chairman Chen Huaiyu, Dr. Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh could play a complementary role in production alongside China. He mentioned that work is progressing rapidly to establish a Chinese special economic zone in the Chattogram region. Bangladesh is also developing new large-scale ports, which will not only benefit the domestic economy but also assist landlocked countries like Nepal and Bhutan, as well as India's northeastern seven states.

The Dhaka-Beijing economic relationship suffers from major asymmetry, though there has been a robust trade volume. Last year, according to OEC data, China exported $22.9 billion worth of goods to Bangladesh, while Bangladesh just exported $677 million in return. Reducing this trade imbalance appears to be one of Yunus’ objectives.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Beijing on Friday.

Noting that the peoples of the two countries have a long-standing history of friendly exchanges, Xi said the two sides have always supported each other and treated each other as equals for win-win cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

China maintains a high degree of stability and continuity in its good neighbor and friendly policy toward Bangladesh, and continues to be a trustworthy neighbor, friend and partner of Bangladesh, Xi added.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic ties, and 2025 is also the year of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, Xi said, while expressing the willingness to work with Bangladesh to push China-Bangladesh cooperation to a new level and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Stressing that China and Bangladesh should continue to deepen political mutual trust and firmly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and exploring a development path suited to its national conditions.

China will further deepen reform comprehensively and expand high-standard opening up, which will bring new opportunities for the development of Bangladesh and other countries in the world, he noted.

He called on the two sides to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expand cooperation in the digital economy, green economy, marine economy, infrastructure, water conservancy and other fields, enhance people-to-people exchanges and strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation with Bangladesh to promote development through solidarity among countries of the Global South and build a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

Yunus noted that China is a reliable partner and friend of Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes "Taiwan independence," he said.

Bangladesh is willing to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, said Yunus, urging both sides to enhance Belt and Road cooperation.

The Bangladeshi side welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and help with its economic transformation, Yunus said.

He lauded the three major global initiatives proposed by Xi and said that Bangladesh is willing to strengthen coordination with China to embrace opportunities and tackle challenges together, and jointly safeguard world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

During his visit, Dr Yunus was conferred upon an honorary doctorate by Peking University (PKU) in a ceremony held at the University's conference. He was received by the President of the University, Chairman of the Council and a small group of Bangladeshi students studying at Peking University.

At the invitation of the Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Dr Yunus attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan, China from Wednesday to Thursday.

Hong Lei, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also the Chief Protocol Officer of the Chinese President Xi Jinping, saw him off the Beijing Capital International Airport at the conclusion of his visit, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB.