As Japan, China, and South Korea are major development partners of Bangladesh in the construction of roads, bridges, and economic zones, and New Delhi's grip on Dhaka loosens after the ungracious departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, Dhaka is expected to seek increased Beijing’s multilateral and economic involvement during Chief Adviser Dr. Mohammad Yunus’s maiden state visit to China, beginning March 26-29, 2025, sources in Dhaka and Beijing said.
Chief Adviser Dr. Mohammad Yunus’ planned visit to China is set to strengthen the deep understanding, friendship, and vibrant partnership shared by both nations, signaling a renewed commitment to advancing their strategic cooperation.
During his visit to Beijing, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Dr. Mohammad Yunus will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and various stakeholders to discuss political, strategic, economic, and cultural issues.
Since taking office on August 8, 2024, Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus is set to embark on his maiden state visit to China with a mission to elevate the Dhaka-Beijing relations to new heights, sources in Dhaka and Beijing said.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has repeatedly stated that Bangladesh will maintain balanced relations with three powers—India, China, and the USA—on strategic positions.
"Bangladesh holds interests in all countries, and it's crucial for us to remember this," he said during a national dialogue hosted by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies at the Krishibid Institute Bangladesh.
The adviser highlighted the trade relations between India and China, despite their differences, as well as India's close ties with the US, and stressed that it is important for Bangladesh to maintain good relations with all these three countries.
Though Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pursues the "Neighborhood First Policy," New Delhi has shown no sign of interest, as of now, in inviting Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus. The USA has a new government under Donald Trump.
As Donald Trump took office as the President of the United States on January 20, 2025, Dhaka is likely to experience a more relaxed environment to negotiate with Beijing in the next couple of years, as Donald Trump will focus on revamping the US economy, cutting US involvement in overseas issues, sources in Dhaka, Beijing, and Washington said.
This visit, announced by diplomatic sources in both Dhaka and Beijing, comes at a critical time amid ongoing global tensions such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the turmoil in the Middle East, major political changes in Bangladesh, and tension between Dhaka and New Delhi after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.
According to a highly-placed Bangladeshi diplomat, this visit aims to deepen Bangladesh's ties with China, the world’s second-largest economy. In the context of these international conflicts, strengthening bilateral relationships becomes even more crucial for both nations.
According to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh, from 1999-2000 to 2023-24, China committed foreign aid valued at 10,291.884 million US dollars to Bangladesh and disbursed 6,541.983 million US dollars during the same period. However, China committed to disbursing 146.34 million US dollars as grants and disbursed 146.34 million US dollars. China promised to provide Bangladesh with 7,253.162 million US dollars as official development assistance (ODA), disbursed 3,752.115 million US dollars, and repaid 261.633 million US dollars.
Meanwhile, during the visit, Bangladesh will urge Beijing to speed up the construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram, as the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) first took the initiative to build the enclave in a bid to attract foreign investment.
Insiders said BEZA had acquired 784 acres of land for the economic zone in the Anwara upazila of the port city and had already constructed a few roads and established other utility services for the zone.
BEZA Executive Member Mozibur Rahman, while speaking to this correspondent, said that the construction work of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram is ongoing.
Bangladesh and China expressed optimism that the Foreign Adviser’s visit will pave the way for a "new chapter of cooperation" between the two countries.
During the visit, the top leaders of the two countries are expected to formally announce the inauguration or celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A top Chinese diplomat reaffirmed China’s firm respect for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterated China’s continued support for Bangladesh’s stability, reforms, and democratic transition.
The Chinese Embassy also held a "Happy Chinese New Year Festival" Temple Fair at Gulshan Society Lake Park.
The envoy emphasized that this visit would further cement the cooperative ties between the two nations.
Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka, Yao Wen, underscored the importance of strengthening economic and strategic cooperation, with a particular focus on projects like the China Economic Zone in Chattogram and the enhancement of connectivity initiatives.
He also emphasized the importance of practical bilateral cooperation, particularly in sectors such as digital connectivity and port modernization.
Regional and global issues also featured in the discussions, notably the ongoing Rohingya crisis.
Meanwhile, a senior career diplomat, who has worked in Washington DC, Seoul, Paris, and Canberra, said, “China, India, and the US are three major partners of Bangladesh. These three countries occupy the largest space in Bangladesh’s diplomatic efforts and play a key role in determining Bangladesh’s place in the international community.”
He also said, "Since Prof. Yunus took over Bangladesh’s power following a popular uprising in August 2024, the situation in Bangladesh has been carefully observed by all three powers, as they have their own stakes in the affairs of this country with a large population and sizable economy. India has remained cold in its attitude toward the interim government and has even gone so far as to suggest that bilateral relations with Bangladesh will only normalize when there is an elected government in Dhaka.
Bangladesh’s initiative to hold a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Prof. Yunus did not materialize in the past. There has not been any invitation from India for the Chief Adviser to visit India.”
While the US relationship was strained with the government of Sheikh Hasina on human rights issues, the US leadership has remained short of welcoming the interim government in Bangladesh in clear terms. It is yet to invite Prof. Yunus to visit Washington DC. Furthermore, the change of power from the Democrats to Republicans in Washington DC has not helped shape a concrete US policy toward Prof. Yunus’ government in Bangladesh. So far, the US side has not invited Prof. Yunus for high-level interactions in Washington DC.
It is China, however, that has been the first of these three major partners to invite Prof. Yunus for bilateral interaction with its top leadership. The occasion of the visit was multilateral but has transformed into an important bilateral visit with his proposed meeting with Chinese top leader Xi Jinping. The fact that China has invited Prof. Yunus to Beijing is a clear indication that the Chinese leadership has embraced the interim government in Dhaka without reservation.
One would assume that Prof. Yunus would have visited India or the USA had there been invitations from them. However, that has not been the case. In this context, the visit of Prof. Yunus to China assumes great significance for both countries in setting a bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and China. Although we are yet to get full information on the issues that are going to be discussed between the two leaders, the visit itself is going to create a great deal of speculation in both New Delhi and Washington DC.
The Bangladesh diplomat also said, “At a time when the interim government needed the support of world leaders, India remained hostile and the US remained ambivalent. Therefore, the Chinese invitation will create a great deal of goodwill for China with the current leadership in Bangladesh. By inviting Prof. Yunus, China stands to gain strategically vis-a-vis India and may expand its influence on Bangladesh at a time when India is struggling to maintain its influence in Bangladesh after the fall of its friendly regime. This visit may lead the Indian foreign policy community to reconsider its current hostile attitude toward Dhaka.”
He also said, “While the upcoming visit of Prof. Yunus to Beijing is undoubtedly going to strengthen China's position, Bangladesh will need to use the leverage created through this visit to better bargain with its two other partners, namely India and the US. Prof. Yunus’s series of foreign visits to China, Thailand, and Japan in the next three months will reduce the interim government’s isolation, thereby strengthening its position in relation to New Delhi and even Washington DC. It may be unhappy but will be constrained to take the interim government more seriously.”
