Staff Reporter:
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus arrived in Beijing on Thursday night to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday that would guide the two countries to further strengthen the relations and take it to a new height protecting Dhaka-Beijing’s mutual and strategic interests.
Vice-Minister of China Sun Weidong warmly welcomed Yunus upon his arrival at Beijing International Airport around 10:20pm (China time) after approximately a four-hour journey by air from Qionghai Bo’ao International Airport, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. Kids also greeted him with flowers.
The chief adviser spoke at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and joined at least eight events, including bilateral meetings, Azad said.
Yunus is on a four-day visit to China through which he thinks the relationship between Bangladesh and China will further be deepened.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Road Transport and Bridges; and Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative to Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed, and CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam are accompanying the chief adviser.
On Friday morning, CA Yunus will be at the Great Hall of China amid a static guard of honour.
After the meeting, Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping will pose for a joint photo.
They will discuss various strategic bilateral issues, trade and investment growth, agriculture, infrastructure, support for renewable energy sectors, and resolving the Rohingya issue, as well as overall issues of mutual interest between the two countries, said Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin.
Yunus will participate in an event called “Investment Dialogue” with Chinese business leaders, organised to inform Chinese investors about the business-friendly environment in Bangladesh and attract Chinese investment in Bangladesh.
The chief adviser will participate in three roundtable discussions on different themes – Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy Investment, Bangladesh 2.0 Manufacturing and Market Opportunities and Social Business, Youth Entrepreneurship and the World of Three Zeros at the same venue, where he will exchange views with CEOs of various companies, experienced individuals from the Social Business Circle, high-ranking officials of renowned Chinese companies, business representatives and the young generation of Bangladeshis and Chinese.
On Saturday morning, the chief adviser will visit Peking University and receive the honorary doctorate. He will deliver a speech to the audience there.
In the afternoon, Yunus will give an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), a renowned Chinese media organisation, and Xinhua (likely) where various aspects of the multidimensional relations between Bangladesh and China and the future direction of Bangladesh’s position on various contemporary international issues will be shared.
The chief adviser will attend a dinner to be hosted by the ambassador of Bangladesh to China.
Bilateral instruments to be signed
Bangladesh and China are set to sign several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) as Yunus and Jinping will hold a bilateral meeting in Beijing on 28 March.
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, said the foreign secretary.
He said China is Bangladesh’s best friend, closest neighbour, strategic partner and one of the largest commercial and development partners.
Bangladesh and China enjoy excellent diplomatic relations, which are deepening, he said, adding this year the two countries have undertaken programmes to celebrate the 50 years of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.
The foreign secretary said the visit would add a new dimension to Dhaka-Beijing relations with further momentum.
A milestone visit
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said the chief adviser’s visit to China would be “very successful, productive and a milestone visit” with some announcements.
This 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.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday evening, 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.”
