Published : 10 Jan 2025, 07:06 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 12:27 PM
Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain is set to embark on his first bilateral visit to China from Jan 20 to Jan 24.
The visit comes at the invitation of China’s foreign minister, aiming to bolster Bangladesh-China relations.
At a weekly media briefing, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, director general of the Public Diplomacy Wing, described the visit as "extremely important”.
He said, "This visit is a significant opportunity to further strengthen and deepen Bangladesh's bilateral relations with China."
The agenda, which is still subject to additions and changes, includes a bilateral meeting between the foreign advisor and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
Discussions will encompass economic cooperation, trade expansion, investment, agriculture, education, infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable solutions to the Rohingya crisis.
In July 2024, amid the growing movement demanding reforms in the government job quota system, then prime minister Sheikh Hasina visited Beijing at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Hasina's Beijing visit, from July 8 to July 10, came two weeks after her trip to neighbouring India.
However, she had to cut her visit short and return earlier than scheduled.
During her stay, she participated in various events and held significant meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Qiang.
The visit culminated in the signing of 21 memoranda of understanding, or MoUs, and the announcement of seven new projects.
During that visit, China agreed to provide financial aid amounting to $2 billion.
This support was offered in the form of grants, interest-free loans, concessional loans, and commercial loans.
Discussions prior to the visit had hinted at a potential $5 billion financial aid package from China in yuan to help Bangladesh tackle its financial challenges.
While the issue remained unresolved during the visit, China assured Bangladesh of budgetary support.
The foreign ministry did not confirm whether budget support discussions from the previous visit will continue, but Rafiqul Alam emphasised the potential for further adjustments to the agenda.
"There is still room for additions and adjustments. Therefore, I will not comment on it now."
The visit is expected to pave the way for celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China in 2025, he said.
"Bangladesh and China trade about $25 billion annually,though the trade balance is not in Bangladesh's favour. The visit aims to rebalance trade and boost Chinese investment in Bangladesh," he added.
The foreign advisor will also meet with Chinese business representatives in Shanghai to discuss investment opportunities.
He recently met with the European Investment Bank, or EIB, Vice-President Nicola Beer, seeking EU support for institutional and financial reforms in Bangladesh.
A UK-based business delegation led by MP Rupa Huq is also set to visit Bangladesh from Jan 4 to Jan 9 to explore investment opportunities and strengthen trade ties.
