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Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening the bilateral relations with China in a high-level meeting with Yunnan Province governor Wang Yubo at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka.

‘This is just the beginning. We are so close, yet so far. Let’s change that,’ said Professor Yunus, welcoming the governor on his first visit to Bangladesh.

‘We hope you will visit us again soon — we want to be good neighbours, but more importantly, very close neighbours,’ a press release from the chief adviser’s press wing said, quoting Professor Yunus as saying in the meeting with Wang Yubo.

The chief adviser recalled his recent visit to China, describing it as a turning point in the ties between the two countries.

He praised China for its warm hospitality and expressed gratitude to president Xi Jinping for his encouraging words on strengthening the ties between the two countries.

Governor Yubo responded warmly, saying, ‘My visit is aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relationship. Yunnan is ready to serve as China’s open hub for South Asia, according to the release.

The chief adviser and the governor discussed a range of collaborative initiatives, including youth exchange, healthcare cooperation, education, and trade.

Wang Yubo noted that a Chinese bank in Yunnan has already adopted the microcredit system pioneered by Professor Yunus. ‘Many people in China are benefiting from this approach,’ he said, highlighting shared social goals between the two nations.

The governor proposed expanding cooperation in vocational training and digital and language education, as well as promoting trade in seafood, mango, agricultural products sectors, and so on.

‘We should focus on people-to-people ties and bring our regions even closer,’ Wang Yubo said.

The chief adviser endorsed the governor’s suggestions. ‘We agree to everything you said – from health and education to trade and training. We want to implement these things faster than ever. We want to become closer partners and true friends,’ the chief adviser said.

In the meeting, health care emerged as a key focus as the chief adviser expressed appreciation for China’s support in launching medical tourism, including the designation of four hospitals in Kunming for Bangladeshi patients.

‘This cooperation is a new chapter in our partnership,’ Professor Yunus mentioned.

Both sides also agreed to the importance of enhancing educational exchanges.

Currently, around 400 Bangladeshi students are studying in China, and Professor Yunus pledged to increase that number significantly. ‘We will encourage more of our youths to study in China and learn the language,’ he said.

On the 50th anniversary of the bilateral ties, the chief adviser reaffirmed Bangladesh’s desire to work with China even more closely to address shared challenges and unlock new opportunities for prosperity.

Wang Yubo, who arrived in Dhaka on a three-day visit on Saturday, left the city later on Monday afternoon. 

 Yunus went to China on a four-day bilateral visit on March 26. 

China has already offered healthcare services to Bangladeshis and designated four hospitals in Kunming under  Yunnan province at a time when India, a major destination of Bangladeshi patients seeking overseas medical services, has generally suspended visas for Bangladeshis following the fall of the authoritarian regime of Sheikh Hasina amid a students-led mass uprising in August last year.