United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to return home tonight (Saturday night) as he wrapped up his four-day official visit to China which is described as "milestone" and hugely successful" visit. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:40pm. 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 "historic" visit, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. 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 March 26 to 27, and then at the invitation of the Government of the People's Republic of China, the Chief Adviser is visiting Beijing from March 27 to 29. Chinese President Xi Jinping had a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on Friday. Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Ding Xuexiang met Dr Yunus on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan Province. Vice President of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng also met the Chief Adviser in Beijing. Interview: Bangladesh-China relations to enter new stage, says Bangladeshi interim gov't chief adviser Yunus In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest and reached extensive consensus during the visit. On Saturday morning, Dr Yunus was conferred upon an honorary doctorate by Peking University (PKU) in a ceremony held at the university's conference. After receiving the honorary doctorate, the Chief Adviser delivered a speech to the audience. He was received by President of the University, Chairman of the Council and a small group of Bangladeshi students studying at Peking University. The Chief Adviser had a brief meeting with the University leadership.

China Eastern Airlines has planned to operate flights from Bangladesh's port city of Chattogram to Kunming to help people from the country's east to take treatment in hospitals in the southern Chinese city, officials said Saturday. China has dedicated four Kunming hospitals for the treatment of patients from Bangladesh, but the high air ticket cost is seen as a major impediment to travel to the Chinese city. Officials said the planned flights between Kunming and Chattogram will bring down travel costs and time, paving the way for more Bangladeshis accessing healthcare facilities in China. Md Nazmul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to China, said the authorities in Kunming have dedicated hospital floors for Bangladesh people. "The treatment fees are modest. A patient from Bangladesh pays the same fees as paid by local Chinese people," Ambassador Islam said. To expedite travel to Kunming, the civil aviation authorities in Dhaka have also moved to cut the air ticket cost for flights between Dhaka and Kunming. Chinese authorities have said they would open up more healthcare facilities in the country for the Bangladeshi people. Indian Army Chief, High Commissioner Verma discuss geostrategic issues In April, Bangladesh would also send a big team of journalists to Kunming to see for themselves the treatment facilities there. Last month, dozens of Bangladeshis travelled to Kunming for the first time for treatment. They spoke highly of the standard of hospitals there but several have complained of travel costs.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met Indian Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi on Friday and discussed a range of geostrategic matters. Mission in New Delhi hosts interaction with Indian business leaders ahead of Investment Summit The Indian Army shared the details of the meeting on its official verified X account on Friday night. Logic of interdependence, mutual benefit to keep guiding Dhaka-Delhi ties: Verma During their conversation, they focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing military collaboration and exploring opportunities for joint initiatives aimed at bolstering regional security.

"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." In a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua, Yunus said he expected bilateral relations to enter a new stage. "Everybody in Bangladesh is inspired by what China has achieved," Yunus said, adding that the interim government's task is to rebuild a new Bangladesh, and the Bangladeshi people hope they can learn from China's experience in developing their own country. Regarding China's poverty reduction achievement, Yunus said that most countries focus on GDP growth rather than addressing the needs of ordinary people, but China focused on the low-income group. "That's why the Chinese are very successful in reducing poverty very quickly." Trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China witnessed high-level development in recent years. China has been Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. At present, there are nearly 1,000 Chinese enterprises operating in Bangladesh, which have created more than 550,000 jobs in total. Yunus noted that the two countries have established ties of extensive cooperation, which have produced many positive outcomes. "Bangladesh's imports from China are increasing. The bulk of our industrial-use products come from China." Looking ahead, Yunus emphasized the economic complementarities between the two countries and their huge cooperation potential, saying that he hopes more Chinese investors will come to Bangladesh and open up a broader market together with local partners. Recently, the first group of Bangladeshi patients, doctors, and travel agencies went to Kunming in China's Yunnan Province for medical check-ups and treatment, exploring the potential for the medical tourism market. President Xi promises stronger cooperation with Bangladesh for its rapid progress Yunus said Bangladesh could learn from China and build a better health care system to benefit the people. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh and is also designated as the China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Referring to the stories of Monk Xuanzang leaving his footprints in Bangladesh and Buddhist scholar Atisha Dipankar contributing to the spread of Buddhism in China, Yunus highlighted the long history of friendly exchanges between Bangladesh and China, which laid a solid foundation for the fast and sustained development of bilateral relations. "Bangladesh benefits from its cooperation with China. We can create not only a fast-developing economy, but a new kind of economy where everybody participates," Yunus said. "We can take it to the next stage where our collaboration is not limited to the economy only. It will be cultural," he said. Stressing the past 50 years of Bangladesh-China ties were exciting, the chief adviser said "the next 50 years would be more exciting." He said he looks forward to bilateral cooperation in broader areas. "That's what we're looking forward to. (We will discuss) how to make sure that we share things together and make a journey together to achieve the things we collectively felt very strongly about."

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed his sincere appreciation to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people for their warm hospitality, while extending an invitation for the Chinese leadership to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. On the final day of his four-day official visit, Dr Yunus will visit Peking University on Saturday morning, where he is set to receive an honorary doctorate degree. After receiving the honorary doctorate degree, the Chief Adviser will deliver a speech to the audience, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB on Friday. He will be received by the President of the University, Chairman of the Council and a small group of Bangladeshi students studying at Peking University. The Chief Adviser will have a brief meeting with the University leadership. His speech will be followed by a Q&A session. China Media Group and Xinhua news agency are likely to interview the Chief Adviser before his departure from Beijing for Dhaka. President Xi promises stronger cooperation with Bangladesh for its rapid progress Dr Yunus is scheduled to fly from Beijing Capital International Airport at 4:45pm (Beijing time). Vice Minister of China Sun Weidong and Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md Nazmul Islam will see him off at the airport. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to reach home at 8:40pm (Dhaka time) on Saturday. 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 26 to 27 March 2025, and then at the invitation of the Government of the People's Republic of China, the Chief Adviser is visiting Beijing from 27 to 29 March. Chinese President Xi Jinping had a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on Friday. Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, met with Dr Yunus on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan Province. Han Zheng, Vice President of the People's Republic of China also met with the Chief Adviser in Beijing. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest and reached extensive consensus.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said Bangladesh is willing to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Dr Yunus, who had a bilateral meeting with President Xi at the Great Hall of the People, 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. The Bangladesh side welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and help with its economic transformation, the Chief Adviser said. Dr 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. 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 neighbour and friendly policy toward Bangladesh, and continues to be a trustworthy neighbor, friend and partner of Bangladesh, Xi added. President Xi promises stronger cooperation with Bangladesh for its rapid progress 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 Bangladesh and China 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, Xinhua quoted him as saying. 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 globalisation 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.

Describing Bangladesh as an important neighbour of China, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday offered to share Beijing's development experiences and boost cooperation with Bangladesh to help it grow fast. Bangladesh and China decided to elevate their relations to a new height after a "historic" bilateral meeting between President Xi and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. Bestowing a rare honour to the Bangladesh leader, President Xi came out from his office to greet Professor Yunus as he arrived at the Great Hall, accompanied by two advisers, Azad said. The meeting, held at the Chinese capital's Great Hall of the People on Friday, discussed issues of mutual interest, with President Xi Jinping reiterating China's full support for the Chief Adviser and the reform agenda of the interim government. Later, the two leaders led their respective sides in a bilateral meeting, marked by warmth and candour. It was the first bilateral visit by the Chief Adviser to a foreign country. The Chinese President said China would continue to grant zero-tariff facilities to Bangladeshi goods and extend the status until the end of 2028 – two years after Bangladesh's scheduled graduation from a least developed country. He said Beijing would like to start negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement with Dhaka to pave the way for more Chinese investment in the South Asian nation. Beijing pledges $2.1 billion in investments, loans, grants for Bangladesh President Xi said his government would encourage more Chinese private investment and relocation of Chinese manufacturing plants to Bangladesh after the Chief Adviser sought his active support for this major shift in Chinese investment policy. The Chinese President said China would support building an exclusive Chinese industrial economic zone and industrial parks in Bangladesh. He welcomed more Bangladeshi products to China and "high-quality" cooperation in BRI projects, as well as the digital and maritime economy. The Chinese President welcomed more Bangladeshis to seek treatment in hospitals in Yunnan and other provinces of China. China has also announced it would build a specialised hospital in Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh wants to elevate its relationship with China to a new height. He also sought Chinese support in resolving the Rohingya crisis. President Xi reiterated China's support for the repatriation of the forcibly displaced people of Myanmar who have taken shelter in Bangladesh. Dr Yunus sought China's support for young people's dreams to create a new Bangladesh and invited Beijing to set up a China cultural centre in Bangladesh. He also sought a cut in interest rates for Chinese project loans and a waiver of the commitment fees charged on the borrowing. President Xi recalled his two visits to Bangladesh and said he studied microcredit, pioneered by Professor Yunus, when he was the governor of Fujian province. He said China would give a positive consideration to the issues raised by the Chief Adviser. He said he tasted Bangladeshi mango and jackfruit and appreciated their quality, as China is poised to import the fruits from the country. The two leaders also discussed China's support for the Teesta River project, the purchase of multiple-role combat aircraft and multimodal transport connectivity linking the southern Chinese city of Kunming with Bangladeshi ports. Dhaka, Beijing sign 8 MoUs, 1 deal on economic, technical cooperation "Today, we witnessed history in the making. This is a transformational visit, and the two leaders have laid a solid foundation for intensified strategic ties, which will last through decades," said Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative of Chief Adviser, who is on the Bangladesh delegation to China. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, Chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission Zheng Shanjie, and vice foreign minister Sun Weidong were among senior Chinese officials who were present at the meeting. Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy and Transport Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative of the Chief Adviser, Dr. Khalilur Rahman and Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed also joined the meeting from the Bangladesh side.

First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye Emine Erdoğan has expressed heartfelt appreciation for Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus for his outstanding contributions and global advocacy in advancing the cause of zero waste. She came up with the appreciation at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, according to the Bangladesh Mission in New York. Delivering the keynote address at the high-level commemoration of the International Day of Zero Waste --focused on fashion and textile waste, First Lady Erdoğan warned of the devastating impact of the current linear production model and called for an urgent shift in global consumption patterns. She emphasised the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling to protect the planet’s future. The event also featured remarks by the President of the General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, and the Executive Directors of UNEP and UN-Habitat. WFP reverses decision to cut food aid for Rohingyas in Bangladesh A dynamic panel of global experts, civil society leaders, and activists shared their thoughts on addressing the growing challenge caused by textile waste. Speaking on the occasion, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury highlighted Bangladesh’s strong commitment, initiatives and achievements with regard to sustainability in the textile industry. The Ambassador also called for greater responsibility from multinational brands and emphasized the need to empower consumers to make sustainable choices. On behalf of the Professor Yunus, a former member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, Ambassador Chowdhury conveyed appreciation to First Lady Erdoğan for her visionary leadership as the current Chair of the Advisory Board.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday announced Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagements in Bangkok without any mention about a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit.    At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister Modi will visit Bangkok from April 3-4 April to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit to be held on April 4, hosted by Thailand, the current BIMSTEC Chair, and for an official visit. This will be Modi’s third visit to Thailand. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Tuesday said Dhaka is ready to see a bilateral meeting between Chief Adviser Dr Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the Bimstec Summit and is expecting a positive response from Delhi. He said the strain that is there in the relations between Bangladesh and India could be overcome if the bilateral meeting is held between Prof Yunus and Modi. "On our part, we are ready (for the talks). We will be waiting," Jashim  said, adding that Bangladesh is giving much importance to the meeting as Dhaka believes the meeting will help take forward the relations. Bangladesh approached India through the diplomatic channel to arrange a meeting between Dr Yunus and  Modi on the sidelines of the upcoming Bimstec Summit in Bangkok. Dr Yunus is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to Thailand to attend the BIMSTEC Summit. This would be the first physical meeting of the BIMSTEC leaders since the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2018. The last 5th BIMSTEC Summit was held at Colombo, Sri Lanka in March 2022 in virtual format. The 6th Summit’s theme is "BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open”. The leaders are expected to deliberate on ways and means to infuse greater momentum to BIMSTEC cooperation during the Summit. The leaders are also expected to discuss various institution and capacity building measures to augment collaboration within the BIMSTEC framework.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday sought a fifty-year master plan from China to manage the river and water system in Bangladesh, which is crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers. The chief adviser made the call when Water Resources Minister of China Li Guoying met him at a state guest house on the third day of his four-day visit to the Asian country. Prof Yunus praised the Chinese water and flood management system, saying the country has done wonders in managing some of the intractable water issues, CA’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. “We have the same problem that you have. So, we'll be happy if you share your experiences”, the chief adviser told the Chinese minister. “Bangladesh is a delta country; we have a country crisscrossed with hundreds of rivers. Water gives us life, but sometimes it becomes an enemy. Now that the population has increased manifold, we have to remain careful what kind of damages it causes to the ecosystem,” he added. Calling China the master of water management, the chief adviser said that Bangladesh has a lot to learn from the country and urged China to share the vision of President Xi Jinping in water management with the country. “We have come here to learn from you: how we can make water resources useful to people,” he said. Prof Yunus said that the increase of population and demand for development are people grabbing lands by riversides. Dhaka, Beijing sign 8 MoUs, 1 deal on economic, technical cooperation The same demand has increased in upper riparian India, he said, adding that siltation was also causing a problem creating land in the middle of rivers, sinking them sometimes, leading them to death. The Chinese minister acknowledged that China and Bangladesh share a similar challenge in water management. He promised technical support and expertise to Bangladesh. “To manage water is a key management issue for Bangladesh; China is facing similar challenges,” he said, acknowledging that 85 per cent of Bangladesh’s people live in flood-prone plains, which has made water management complicated for the country. He said that President Xi has put forward a master plan for China which the country was using to overcome the challenges in water management. “We need your help to design the plan for us,” the chief adviser said. He added that Bangladesh’s problem lies not just with one river but with the system. He mentioned the Teesta River system and cleaning the polluted water in rivers surrounding Dhaka for particular help. The chief adviser is currently on a four-day visit to China, holding meetings with Chinese leaders and investors to boost mutual cooperation with the country.