Cliff Notes – Bangladesh leader Yunus meets China’s President Xi
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Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, conducted his first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting a shift in diplomatic relations following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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The political turmoil has strained Bangladesh’s ties with India, allowing China to strengthen its influence and investment in the strategically important nation as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.
- With a population of 172 million, Bangladesh presents a significant market opportunity for China’s export-oriented economy, reinforcing their trade and investment connections.
Bangladesh leader Yunus meets China’s President Xi
The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, state media reported.
This is Yunus’ first bilateral state visit since he took over as the South Asian nation’s interim leader last August following the ouster of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina stepped down and fled to neighboring India in the wake of a student-led mass uprising against her rule.
Bangladesh has been grappling with political infighting ever since.
Hasina’s government shared close ties with India but relations between the two sides have been strained since her ouster, providing an opportunity for Beijing to cultivate closer ties with Dhaka.
Close trade and investment ties
While Bangladesh and India share deep historical, cultural and linguistic ties, China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and a major investor.
Bangladesh is of strategic importance to China. Its location in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean means it is ideally situated for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Xi’s signature project aimed at boosting China’s economic and political influence by implementing a raft of infrastructure projects and trade networks worldwide.
Bangladesh, with its 172 million people, also offers a huge market in the region for China’s export-oriented economy.
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China’s Xi Meets Bangladesh Leader Yunus in Beijing – The China-Global South Project
Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Yunus meets Chinese President Xi Jinping – The Hindu