How China's media highlight Yunus's visit

Published : Saturday, 12 April, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 542

Sakir Mohammad & Dr Xueqing Li

The recent visit of the Chief Adviser (CA) of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, to China excited the whole country. Social media posts of the Chief Adviser walking on the red carpet, shaking hands with President Xi Jinping, and giving speeches at Peking University flooded every corner of the internet. Experts everywhere are commenting on the economic implications and the strategic importance of this visit. They are writing op-eds and spending hours on talk shows analyzing every detail. But what about the Chinese side? Are they as excited as we are? What about the Chinese media? What are the key issues they are focusing on?

A closer look at theChinese media coverage of Professor Muhammad Yunus's visit to China reveals three key areas: high-level courtesy, the enduring legacy of friendly relations, and broad, multidimensional cooperation. During his visit, Yunus was accorded exceptional honors. He met with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, engaged in discussions with Vice President Han Zheng, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Peking University-one of China's most prestigious institutions. These high-level meetings and accolades underscored the deep historical ties and mutual respect between China and Bangladesh.

Media coverage of the actual meetings between Yunus and Chinese leaders was calm and professional. President Xi was quoted saying that China would continue to be a "trustworthy neighbor, friend and partner" of Bangladesh. The language was warm but not overly emotional. There were no headlines suggesting that the visit was historic or game changing. Instead, the tone was one of continuity.

The media also emphasized the importance of the historical legacy and friendly relations between the two countries. The 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations was highlighted as a significant milestone in the enduring partnership. Both sides stressed the need to continue their long-standing amicable relations, deepen political trust, and coordinate their strategic development. Throughout, China has consistently respected Bangladesh's independent development path. They also mentioned cultural ties, educational collaboration, and even the possibility of more student scholarships and language programs. These soft power moves were described in a positive light, showing that the friendship goes beyond just money and politics.

More importantly, reports detailed the strong and diverse cooperation between China and Bangladesh across multiple sectors. For fifteen consecutive years, China has remained Bangladesh's largest trading partner, while Bangladesh is China's second-largest trade partner in the Himalayan region. This robust cooperation is supported by a series of economic and technological agreements covering initiatives in the digital economy and clean energy, which contribute significantly to the development of Global South nations.

Finally, the media highlighted Yunus's governance philosophy, noting that his "three zeros theory" (zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions) aligns closely with President Xi Jinping's Global Development Initiative (GDI). Chinese media also reported that both countries agree that cooperation should extend beyond economics. There are plans to deepen cultural exchanges in tourism, media, education, healthcare, and think tanks, which will help foster greater mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Bangladesh.Taken together, the media portrayal of the visitwas friendly, respectful, and consistent with their usual diplomatic tone. The keywords repeated again and again were "traditional friendship," "win-win cooperation," "mutual respect," and "strategic partnership." These words might seem like basic diplomatic phrases, but they are carefully chosen to carry meaning. "Traditional friendship" tells readers that China and Bangladesh have a long-standing bond. It is not something new or uncertain. "Win-win cooperation" is another popular phrase that sounds simple, but it's meant to present every agreement or project as equally beneficial to both sides, even if one side might be gaining more. This is China's way of showing generosity without drawing attention to power differences.

The phrase "mutual respect" also appeared frequently, usually alongside "non-interference." Chinese media made it a point to highlight that China respects Bangladesh's independent path and does not interfere in its internal affairs. This was repeated in news articles and official statements. It is a reminder that China will not publicly question how Bangladesh is being governed, who is in power, or how policies are made. They believe in the autonomy of Bangldeshi people.

One major area of focus was economic cooperation. Multiple media reports mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's ambitious plan to recreate the ancient Silk Road, and how both countries were committed to continuing projects under this framework. The visit was described as a chance to boost trade, investment, and infrastructure development. Specific examples included discussions about green energy, digital economy, and water management. There was also mention of plans for a free trade agreement and expanded access for Bangladeshi goods in Chinese markets. All of this was presented as practical and forward-looking but always within the framework of "win-win cooperation."

Even the coverage of Yunus's speeches and public appearances followed this pattern. His talk at Peking University and other events were reported in brief, with emphasis on friendship, cooperation, and mutual goals. There were no headlines suggesting he made bold statements or controversial remarks, which of course he did not make. Everything stayed within the bounds of polite diplomacy.

In short, Chinese media covered the visit in a polite, optimistic and focused way on the future. It avoided sensitive topics, kept the tone balanced, and made sure to present the relationship as stable and beneficial. There was no exaggeration, no hype, and no sign that the visit was seen as extraordinary. From the Chinese side, it was an important event but part of an ongoing, long-term relationship that doesn't need dramatic headlines to stay strong.

If you are trying to understand what the visit meant to China, the media coverage gives some clear answers. China is treating Bangladesh as a steady partner, one that matters because of its location, economy, and willingness to cooperate. However, China is not overly emotional about the relationship. They value predictability, stability, and mutual benefit. They also want to keep the friendship smooth and focused on shared goals. Reading between the lines, it is clear that diplomacy is not always loud but when handled with care, it can be deeply strategic.

Sakir Mohammad is a master's student in journalism and communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China and Dr Xueqing Li is an Associate Professor in the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.