Muhammad Yunus says important for Bangladesh to see China as good friend; expects ties to enter new phase

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Yunus emphasizes strong ties with China, seeking economic cooperation and medical tourism opportunities.

Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said it is “important” for his country to see China as a good friend and he expects ties between Dhaka and Beijing to enter a new phase as he wrapped up his four-day China visit on Saturday (March 29, 2025).

“Our relationship has been very strong over the years. Our business is very strong and we benefit from our collaboration with China”, Mr. Yunus said.

“Hong Lei, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also the Chief Protocol Officer of the Chinese President Xi Jinping, sees off Yunus on Saturday at the Beijing Capital International Airport at the conclusion of his historic four-day official visit to China,” a post on X by Yunus' official handle said.

Mr. Yunus was conferred an honorary doctorate degree by Peking University (PKU) in Beijing on Friday (March 28, 2025).

The Chief Adviser met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday (March 28, 2025) and sought stepped up investments from China to revive Bangladesh’s flagging economy, hit by political and economic crisis.

“It's very important that we see China as our good friend,” Mr. Yunus said, projecting Beijing as a balancing factor against New Delhi.

He expects bilateral relations to enter a new stage, Yunus told Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency in an interview.