Yunus: Bangladesh Seeks Stronger Ties with China

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with China during a high-level meeting with Wang Yubo, Governor of Yunnan Province, at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka.

“Though we are geographically close, there remains a distance between us — let’s change that,” Professor Yunus said while warmly welcoming Governor Wang on his first visit to Bangladesh. “We hope this won’t be your last visit — we aspire to be not just good neighbours, but very close ones,” a statement from the chief adviser’s press office quoted him as saying.

Reflecting on his recent visit to China, Professor Yunus described it as a significant milestone in the evolving partnership between the two nations. He extended appreciation to the Chinese government, particularly President Xi Jinping, for the warm hospitality and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s eagerness to deepen ties.

Governor Wang, in turn, expressed enthusiasm about advancing cooperation, noting that Yunnan Province is well-positioned to serve as China’s gateway to South Asia. “This visit is aimed at further strengthening our partnership,” he said.

During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of collaborative initiatives spanning youth exchange programmes, healthcare, education, and trade. Wang highlighted that a Yunnan-based Chinese bank has already adopted the microcredit model pioneered by Professor Yunus, benefiting numerous communities in China.

Proposals for expanding cooperation in vocational training, digital and language education, and trade in seafood, mangoes, and other agricultural products were also put forward by the governor. “People-to-people ties are key — let’s bring our regions closer together,” Wang added.

Professor Yunus welcomed all of the proposals, expressing Bangladesh’s readiness to accelerate implementation. “From health and education to trade and training — we’re eager to move quickly. We want to be not just partners, but genuine friends,” he said.

Healthcare cooperation emerged as a priority, with Professor Yunus thanking China for supporting medical tourism by designating four hospitals in Kunming for Bangladeshi patients — a timely move as visa restrictions from India, previously a major destination for Bangladeshi medical travelers, remain in place following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime amid last year’s student-led uprising.

Education was also highlighted, with Professor Yunus pledging to significantly increase the number of Bangladeshi students studying in China. “We’ll actively encourage more young people to pursue education in China and learn the language,” he said.

Marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, both sides expressed a shared desire to confront mutual challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity. Governor Wang concluded his three-day visit to Dhaka on Monday afternoon. Professor Yunus had earlier visited China on a four-day bilateral trip beginning March 26.