BEIJING, Apr 01 (IPS) – Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus’s state go to to China, the place he met Chinese language President Xi Jinping, was seen as a possibility to reaffirm outdated diplomatic and financial ties between the 2 international locations.
Throughout the assembly, Xi recalled Chinese language-Bangladesh’s long-standing historical past of pleasant exchanges, saying the traditional Silk Highway carefully linked the 2 international locations.
Terming Bangladesh a very good neighbour, good pal and good accomplice of mutual belief, he stated China maintains a excessive diploma of stability and continuity in its good-neighbourly and pleasant coverage towards Bangladesh, as this 12 months marks the fiftieth anniversary of the institution of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.
“China is able to work with Bangladesh to convey China-Bangladesh cooperation to new heights and ship better advantages to the 2 peoples, Xi stated, stressing that China and Bangladesh ought to proceed to deepen political mutual belief and firmly assist one another on points associated to mutual pursuits.
Yunus stated Bangladesh and China share a profound friendship and have all the time understood, revered and trusted one another.
Claiming China is a dependable accomplice and pal of Bangladesh, he stated Bangladesh firmly helps the one-China precept.
The Chief Adviser stated Bangladesh is keen to make use of the fiftieth anniversary of the institution of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations as a possibility to reinforce bilateral relations.
Bangladesh sought extra Chinese language funding, which is able to assist it promote its financial transition.
Political analysts assert that Yunus’s go to to China has catapulted Bangladesh-China relations to unprecedented heights, with Bangladesh securing a dedication of USD 2.1 billion in Chinese language investments, loans, and grants throughout his historic China tour.
Chinese language Ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen stated practically 30 Chinese language corporations have pledged to speculate USD 1 billion in Bangladesh.
China has additionally deliberate to lend some USD 400 million within the Mongla port modernisation venture, USD 350 million within the growth of the China Industrial Financial Zone and one other USD 150 million as technical help. The remainder of the quantity would come as grants and different types of lending.
“It’s a milestone go to,” Yao Wen stated.
Throughout the bilateral assembly, Yunus requested Xi to approve the funding of Chinese language non-public corporations in Bangladesh.
The Chinse President affirmed that he would encourage Chinese language corporations to arrange manufacturing crops in Bangladesh.
The talks between Yunus and Xi have been complete, fruitful and constructive, marked by heat, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, stated.
Chart Roadmap for Shared Prosperity
On March 27, Yunus addressed the Boao Discussion board for Asia (BFA) Annual Convention in Hainan, asking the Asian nations to chart a transparent roadmap for a shared future and shared prosperity.
“On this altering world, the fates of Asian international locations are intertwined. We should chart a transparent roadmap for a shared future and shared prosperity,” he stated.
The Chief Adviser additionally centered on making a sustainable financing mechanism for Asian international locations. “We want dependable funds that tackle our challenges and meet our rising calls for.”
About commerce cooperation, he stated Asia stays one of many least built-in areas and this weak integration stifles funding and commerce.
“We should work to spice up commerce cooperation instantly,” he stated.
Referring to meals and agriculture cooperation, Yunus stated the Asian international locations ought to promote resource-efficient farming and home manufacturing have to be enhanced for meals safety.
“We have to cut back import reliance and obtain self-sufficiency. Increasing tech-based sustainable agricultural options and innovation in regenerative and climate-smart farming is essential,” he stated.
The Bangladesh Chief Adviser pressured constructing a robust tech ecosystem, sharing data and information and investing in expertise incubation and innovation in Asia.
About social enterprise to unravel social issues, he stated each younger individual ought to develop up as a three-zero individual: zero internet carbon emissions, zero wealth focus, and 0 unemployment by way of entrepreneurship in social enterprise.
“That is the shared future we in Asia should create collectively,” he added.
In his speech, Yunus underscored shifting towards sustainable financial fashions prioritising folks and the planet over earnings.
“We should shift towards sustainable financial fashions that prioritise folks and the planet over earnings,” he stated.
Moreover, the Chief Adviser centered on the long-pending Rohingya disaster, calling upon the Asian leaders to return ahead in the direction of guaranteeing secure and dignified repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.
“Bangladesh has been internet hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas, who’re Myanmar nationals, for over seven years. We proceed to bear important social, financial, and environmental prices,” he stated.
On the sidelines of the convention, Yunus held conferences with Chairman of the Boao Discussion board for Asia and former UN Secretary-Common Ban Ki-moon, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and FAO Director Common Qu Dongyu, amongst others, too.
Think about Change within the World
On March 29, 2025, at a perform at Peking College (PKU) in Beijing, Yunus urged college students to assume broadly and try to rework the world.
“A college or academic establishment isn’t solely a spot to study what occurs however to think about,” he stated.
Terming creativeness the best energy of the earth, Yunus stated, “For those who think about, it would occur. If you don’t think about, it would by no means occur.”
The Bangladesh Chief Adviser stated creativeness is extra highly effective than something “we are able to convey collectively”.
“Human journey is about making the unattainable potential. That’s our job. And we are able to make it occur,” Yunus stated.
He stated folks develop into poor as a consequence of incorrect financial programs, as all persons are not given a good likelihood in such programs.
He pressured selling human beings to develop into entrepreneurs, to not be job seekers, saying, “All human beings are entrepreneurs.”
Yunus obtained an honorary doctorate diploma from Peking College.
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