Chief advisor Yunus arrives in Beijing

He participates in a total of eight meetings on the first day of his four-day visit to China

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has arrived in Beijing from China’s Hainan province.

According to the Chief Advisor’s Press Wing, Yunus landed at the Beijing Capital International Airport at 10:20pm local time on Thursday, where he was received by Chinese Vice Minister Sun Weidong.

His arrival in Beijing followed a packed schedule at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan Province.

On the first day of his four-day visit to China, Yunus participated in at least eight engagements, including bilateral meetings.

Among those was a discussion with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on the sidelines of the forum.

The two leaders later convened for a formal meeting, reaffirming the nations’ commitment to bolstering economic and diplomatic cooperation.

During the talks, Beijing assured Dhaka of its full support for the interim government.

Both sides expressed their intent to expand trade, investment, and cultural exchanges as they mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Ding conveyed President Xi Jinping’s strong interest in Yunus’s visit, expressing confidence in Bangladesh’s economic future under his leadership.

Yunus, in turn, reiterated Bangladesh’s support for the One-China policy.

He also noted that Bangladesh was the first in South Asia to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The chief advisor urged China to implement a series of development and social infrastructure projects.

Yunus also sought a reduction in interest rates on Chinese loans, proposing a decrease from 3 percent to 1-2 percent, and a waiver of commitment fees for Beijing-funded initiatives.

Among Dhaka’s key priorities is attracting Chinese investment in sectors such as ready-made garments, electric vehicles, light machinery, high-tech electronics, chip manufacturing, and solar panel production.

In response, Ding reaffirmed China’s pledge to continue granting duty-free and quota-free access to Bangladeshi products until 2028.

Additionally, both countries signalled their willingness to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement.

Beijing also committed to financing the modernisation of Mongla Port and the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Project.

In a further sign of growing economic engagement, China is set to import Bangladeshi mangoes this summer under a deal signed last year, with plans to expand imports to include jackfruit, guava, and aquatic products.

The two governments also announced increased scholarships for Bangladeshi students studying in China.

China will further support Bangladesh’s maritime sector by financing the procurement of four ocean-going vessels for the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation.

Moreover, in a move with broader geopolitical implications, Beijing pledged to facilitate dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar in an effort to address the long-standing Rohingya crisis.

“The discussions today mark another milestone in the Bangladesh-China partnership,” Yunus said to the Chinese leadership.

“Let us work together to further strengthen our friendship, cooperation, and strategic relations.”