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.

Bangladesh has secured a commitment of $2.1 billion in Chinese investments, loans and grants from the Chinese government and its companies during the "milestone" visit of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to China, officials said on Friday. Bangladeshi officials and Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen said nearly 30 Chinese companies have pledged to invest one billion dollars in the exclusive Chinese Industrial Economic Zone after the chief adviser urged private enterprises to invest in the manufacturing sector in Bangladesh. China has also planned to lend some $400 million in the Mongla port modernisation project, some $350 million in the development of the China Industrial Economic Zone and another $150 million as technical assistance. The rest of the amount would come as grants and other forms of lending. "It is a milestone visit," Chinese envoy Yao Wen said, referring to the chief adviser's four-day-long first bilateral tour of China. Ashik Chowdhury, the executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority, said the visit could propel a "surge" of Chinese investment to Bangladesh. Dhaka, Beijing sign 8 MoUs, 1 deal on economic, technical cooperation During the bilateral meeting, Prof Yunus has requested President Xi Jinping to give his "green signal" to Chinese private companies to invest in Bangladesh. President Xi affirmed that he would encourage Chinese firms to relocate their manufacturing plants to Bangladesh as they look to diversify their production destination, said Chowdhury. "This visit will play a big part in persuading many Chinese companies to invest in Bangladesh. It is just a matter of time," he said. On Friday, Prof Yunus and Ashik Chowdhury briefed officials of more than 100 Chinese companies, including some of the biggest in the world, to invest in manufacturing in Bangladesh, especially in advanced textiles, pharmaceuticals, light engineering and renewables. They spoke in three interactive sessions in Beijing. "So far, the response is very positive," he said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the relationship between Bangladesh and China would further be deepened through his four-day official visit that begins on Wednesday. "I am going to China on a four-day visit. I will meet with President Xi Jinping. I will also meet with CEOs of major Chinese businesses," he said ahead of the visit. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to leave Dhaka for China on Wednesday afternoon. 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." Bangladesh and China are set to sign several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare to 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. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin briefed reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday afternoon. MoFA Spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, Directors General were present. The bilateral meeting will be held at the Great Hall of China. They will discuss various strategic bilateral issues between Bangladesh and China, trade and investment promotion, cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy sectors, and resolving the Rohingya issue, among other matters of mutual interest between the two countries, said the Foreign Secretary. He said China is Bangladesh's best friend, closest neighbor, strategic partner and one of the largest commercial and development partners. Bangladesh and China enjoy excellent diplomatic relations, which are deepening, he said, adding that 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. The Chief Adviser will attend roundtable discussions on Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy Investment; Bangladesh 2.0 Manufacturing and Market Opportunities; Social Business, Youth Entrepreneurship and the World of Three Zeros. 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' scheduled visit to China from March 26-29 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 who met Dr Yunus on March 16. Bangladesh, China to sign key deals as Dr Yunus to meet Xi in Beijing on March 28 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. He said there will be a series of engagements during the chief adviser's China visit. On the sidelines of the forum, Alam said, the chief adviser is likely to have meetings with CEOs of some companies. Dhaka and Beijing are eyeing stronger ties, marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations. The chief adviser will attend a programme on March 29 at Peking University and will return to Dhaka at night (same day). As per the plans, the chief adviser will first attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, South China's Hainan Province. On March 27, Dr Yunus will participate in the inaugural plenary session of the BFA and Executive Vice President of the State Council will meet the Chief Adviser the same day. On August 25 last year, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed the Chinese leadership's invitation to Dr Yunus to visit China at his convenience. “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. BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun said with the theme "Asia in the changing World: Towards a shared Future," this year's event will focus on development, foster dialogue, explore innovative formats and value tangible outcomes, all aimed at promoting international development and cooperation. He said the theme is intended to reinvigorate multilateralism, promote openness and development, jointly respond to global challenges, and carry out the commitments of the UN Summit of the Future while focusing on the development of Asia. Many heads of international and regional organisations, ministerial-level officials, entrepreneurs of Fortune Global 500, and renowned experts and scholars have already confirmed their participation in the annual conference, Zhang said. He said the event will focus on four subject areas: building trust and promoting cooperation in a fast-changing world; rebalancing globalisation for inclusive development; accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals for more effective responses to global challenges; and strengthening AI application and governance for innovation-driven development.