Dhaka, Mar 27 (V7N) -Experts believe that this visit will deepen bilateral relations and open new opportunities.

Additionally, they emphasize that strengthening ties with China will contribute to maintaining the necessary global balance.


Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus left Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan Province, China.

After participating in the forum, he will visit Beijing on an official bilateral trip at the invitation of the Chinese government.

There, the meeting between President Xi Jinping and the Chief Adviser will take place on December 28.

Multiple sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initially suggested that the meeting between the two leaders was expected to be a courtesy call.


However, just days before the visit, China informed that the 30-minute meeting would be held in an “across-the-table” format, meaning a face-to-face discussion.

In diplomatic practice, this is considered an official and important meeting.

The Chief Adviser will be accompanied by nine key individuals (1+8) from Bangladesh, along with four additional government officials assisting them.

In total, 13 people (1+8+4) will be present on the Bangladeshi side of the table, while Xi Jinping will lead an equal number of 13 participants on the Chinese side. Experts believe that by formalizing the meeting, China has elevated its importance.

A former diplomat commented: "This meeting holds great significance for both countries. The joint statement to be released after the meeting will likely provide insights into the outcomes of the discussions."

When asked about the possible discussion topics, he said: "China might seek to understand Bangladesh's future policies and the model it plans to follow."

Another former diplomat noted: "China may inquire about the tenure of the interim government and its reform activities. Additionally, they would likely be interested in Bangladesh-China relations within the broader geopolitical context."

What Bangladesh Might Discuss
Bangladesh has always followed the "One China Policy," and the Chief Adviser is expected to reaffirm this stance during the meeting. Various forms of cooperation will also be discussed.


A Foreign Ministry official said: "China has briefed Bangladesh on President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative. During this meeting, Bangladesh is likely to appreciate that initiative."

Discussions will also cover issues such as cooperation in resolving the Rohingya crisis, water resource management, sector-based collaboration, energy cooperation, and other relevant matters.

On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin told journalists: "China is an extremely important friend of ours, and we value this friendship. China shares a similar sentiment. By selecting China for the Chief Adviser’s first bilateral visit, we are sending a message. Our expectations from this visit are multifaceted. China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and one of its major development partners. Additionally, people-to-people connectivity is increasing, and we are exploring new avenues of cooperation and strengthening our engagement."

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