Chinese President Xi Jinping met Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, in Beijing on Friday. AFP reported this, citing Chinese state media. Bangladesh is looking for new alliances as its relations with India change. Yunus is on a four-day visit to China to boost diplomacy and attract investment. Earlier, he attended the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan. This is his first bilateral visit since taking office in August 2024. His trip also marks 50 years of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and China.

High-Level Delegation Joins Yunus

A high-profile team is traveling with Yunus. The delegation includes Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative Khalilur Rahman, SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

Investment and Trade Talks

According to the Dhaka Tribune, Yunus announced in a national address on Tuesday that China’s top solar panel manufacturer, Longji, wants to build a factory in Bangladesh. “We are working with them,” he said. He added that talks will also cover technical and medical support, affordable healthcare, and trade. China plans to import mangoes, jackfruit, and guava from Bangladesh. Exports will begin soon.

Agreements and MoUs in Progress

After the meeting, Bangladesh and China will sign several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These will focus on human resource development, economic and technical cooperation, cultural exchanges, sports, and media collaboration.

Political Shift in Bangladesh

Muhammad Yunus took over as Bangladesh’s interim leader in August 2024. A student-led uprising forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina out of power. She later fled to New Delhi. The interim government plans to seek her extradition for legal proceedings in Bangladesh.

Strategic Implications of Yunus’s China Visit

Yunus’s visit to China on Bangladesh Liberation Day is significant. Analysts see it as a strategic move amid changing relations with India. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Yunus on Bangladesh’s Independence Day. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to a strong partnership with Bangladesh.