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Bangladesh
ChinaDiplomacy

Why China is likely to roll out the red carpet for interim Bangladeshi leader Yunus

Muhammad Yunus’ visit next week comes at a time of deteriorating Bangladesh-India ties as Beijing and New Delhi vie for regional influence

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Muhammad Yunus has served as chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government since August, and is seen as seeking to bolster diplomatic support ahead of elections in December. Photo: AFP
Laura Zhou
China is expected to roll out the red carpet when Bangladeshi leader Muhammad Yunus visits next week, ramping up the charm offensive as his interim government seeks diplomatic recognition and economic engagement amid tensions with neighbouring India.
Yunus, a Nobel Peace laureate, has served as chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government since August, when prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid widespread student protests that ended her 15-year hold on power.

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‘Our country has been liberated’: Bangladeshis celebrate as prime minister resigns and flees

‘Our country has been liberated’: Bangladeshis celebrate as prime minister resigns and flees

According to Dhaka, Yunus will deliver a speech at the opening session of the Boao Forum for Asia in China’s southern island province of Hainan on March 27.

He is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing the next day, and will later speak at the prestigious Peking University, where he will be awarded an honorary doctorate.

Yunus’ first visit to China since taking office comes at a time of deteriorating ties between Bangladesh and India, after New Delhi provided shelter to Hasina and other leaders of her Awami League party following the collapse of her government.

The relationship soured further after India in January resumed fencing work along their nearly 4,100km (2,500-mile) shared border, which rings Bangladesh on three sides.

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