Interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with China during a meeting with Wang Yubo, Governor of China’s Yunnan Province, at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Monday, April 21.

Calling for closer collaboration, Dr. Yunus stated, “This is just the beginning. We are so close, yet so far. Let’s bridge this distance. I hope you’ll return to Bangladesh again. We aim to be more than just good neighbors—we want to be even closer partners.”

The two sides discussed cooperation in various sectors, including youth exchange, healthcare, education, and trade. Governor Wang shared that a bank in Yunnan has already adopted Dr. Yunus’ microcredit model, which has positively impacted many people in China. He also highlighted the shared social development goals between the two nations.

Proposals were made to boost trade in areas such as vocational training, digital and language education, and products like seafood, mangoes, and agricultural goods. Emphasizing people-to-people connections, Governor Wang called for efforts to bring the regions and communities of both countries closer together.

Dr. Yunus welcomed all proposals, expressing Bangladesh’s intent to implement them more swiftly. “We want to become true friends and strategic partners,” he said.

On healthcare, Dr. Yunus noted the recent collaboration that opened four hospitals in Kunming for Bangladeshi patients under a new medical tourism initiative, calling it a fresh chapter in bilateral cooperation.

He also described his recent trip to China as a “turning point” in the relationship between the two countries. Governor Wang echoed this sentiment, saying the purpose of his visit was to further strengthen the bond between Bangladesh and China.