Dhaka: Several agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s upcoming visit to China, where discussions are also likely to cover military cooperation and the Teesta issue alongside economic collaboration.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin announced at a media briefing at the foreign ministry that the MoUs will include economic and technical assistance, support for human resource development, cooperation in disaster mitigation, the establishment of a Chinese book center, translation and publication of Chinese classical literature, collaboration in the sports sector, and cooperation between the state news agencies of the two countries.
Responding to a question, the foreign secretary mentioned that discussions on military cooperation with China will occur, emphasizing that China is considered an important friend by Bangladesh. He also noted that the Teesta issue might be discussed under the river management framework during Dr. Yunus’s bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Md. Jashim Uddin stated that Bangladesh would seek China’s perspective on Myanmar during the visit. He also highlighted increased cooperation with China in the health sector, mentioning the establishment of four specialized hospitals in Kunming for Bangladeshis and China’s plan to set up a specialized hospital in Bangladesh.
Chief Adviser Professor Yunus is scheduled to leave for China to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Conference in Hainan Province. He will deliver a speech at the conference’s opening plenary session and may meet with China’s Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
On March 28, the Chief Adviser is set to meet President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the MoUs will be signed between the two countries. Additionally, he is likely to visit a high-tech enterprise under Huawei and give an interview with a leading Chinese media outlet.
Peking University will confer an honorary doctorate on Dr. Yunus on March 29, where he will also deliver a speech. The chief adviser is expected to return home the same day.
The press conference saw the attendance of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director Generals Abdul Motaleb Sarkar, Mohammad Nure Alam, and Mohammad Rafiqul Alam.