United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the cooperation between Bangladesh and China must continue, although a new government will soon take office.  “In a few weeks, I will be out of this office and a new government will be formed, but the work between our two countries must go on,” he said during a meeting with a delegation from the China-Bangladesh Partnership Forum at the State Guest House Jamuna recently. The delegation included senior Chinese academics, investors and industry leaders from the biomedical, infrastructure, digital, and legal sectors, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Friday. Xin-yuan Fu, a leading Chinese biomedical scientist and Director of the West China School of Medicine at Sichuan University, commended Prof Yunus’ vision and said he was very much looking forward to working with Bangladeshi academics and contributing to improving people’s lives. Bangladesh elected Vice Chair of UN Peacebuilding Commission for 2026 Andrew Zilong Wong, Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors of Walvax Biotechnology, and Yuqing Yao, Managing Director of Walvax Biotech (Singapore), shared their experiences and interest in working with Bangladesh. Walvax has exported its vaccines to at least 22 countries. The company has established local subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Indonesia and is exploring the localisation of PCV and HPV vaccines.  In Indonesia, it has signed an agreement with a business partner, indicating a move toward building local capacity. The delegation also included Jinsong Wang, Vice President of the Robotics Society of Singapore; Yuan Feng, Chair of the Management Committee of Fordall Law Firm; Li Ran, Managing Director of Beijing Wutong Asset Management; Gao Zhipeng, Vice President for International Investment and Projects at China State Construction Engineering Corporation; Xu Tianzhao, Investment Director of China Hunan Construction Investment Group; Hua Jie, Vice President of China CCC Engineering Group; Chen Shujian, General Manager for Overseas Markets at PowerChina Overseas Investment Group; Professor Ma Xiaoyuan of Yunnan University; and Alex Wang Zekai, Secretary-General of the China-Bangladesh Partnership Forum. They informed the Chief Adviser that they had engaged with several university students in Bangladesh on artificial intelligence and digitalisation and expressed admiration for the talent and potential of young Bangladeshi minds. During the meeting, Prof Yunus recalled his long-standing relationship with China, which began through the microcredit movement. “I had the opportunity to visit remote villages in China and see how people’s lives were being transformed. Later, the Chinese government launched its own programmes inspired by these principles,” the Chief Adviser said. Recalling his visit to China in March, Prof Yunus said he had met President Xi Jinping during the visit. “He told me that he had read my book and followed its principles. That was a very happy moment for me,” he said. The delegation thanked Prof Yunus and discussed opportunities for collaboration in the health, infrastructure and digital sectors. Highlighting the interim government’s priorities, the Chief Adviser said health remains the top concern. “Our highest priority is healthcare—how to integrate digital technology so that doctors and patients can connect effectively, medical histories can be preserved digitally, and appointments can be accessed easily,” he said. Dr Yunus also emphasised the need for social business models in the pharmaceutical sector. “Medicines cost pennies to produce, yet are sold for dollars. We want to encourage the establishment of social business pharmaceutical companies that focus on helping people, not just profits,” he said. About the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof Yunus recalled Bangladesh’s advocacy for patent-free vaccines. “We raised our voices for patent-free vaccines and faced resistance. When the vote came, 10 countries abstained. They said rich countries would buy vaccines and donate them to poor nations. We said we don’t need gifts. People were dying while others were making money. This is a shame,” he said. Rohingya crisis not receiving due attention, repatriation only solution: Prof Yunus Prof Yunus also shared his vision of establishing a “health city” in the northern region of Bangladesh. “During my visit to China, I proposed building a 1,000-bed international hospital in northern Bangladesh. It is a poor region but strategically located near India, Nepal, and Bhutan,” he said. Dr Yunus explained that the proposed health city would include hospitals, medical colleges, research centres, vaccine production facilities, pharmaceutical industries, and medical equipment hubs. “All health-related activities would be located in one city. People from India, Nepal, and Bhutan could also benefit by accessing quality healthcare facilities there,” he added. Prof Yunus expressed his gratitude to the government of China for its continued support and cooperation. Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary to the government, was also present at the meeting. 

Japan’s last pair of giant pandas have returned to China, ending the country’s 50-year tradition of hosting the beloved animals. The twin pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, are leaving amid strained diplomatic relations between Japan and China over the new Japanese Prime Minister’s stance on Taiwan, making it unlikely that replacement pandas will be sent to Japan. Thousands of fans had gathered at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo to bid farewell to the pandas, who were born there in 2021. China first sent pandas to Japan in 1972 to mark the normalization of diplomatic ties. Over the years, Beijing has used pandas as a diplomatic tool, symbolizing goodwill and soft power, which can be withdrawn when relations sour. Pet dog guards owner’s body for 4 days amid freezing snowfall State broadcaster CCTV showed the pandas arriving in crates in Sichuan province, southwestern China. They are now under quarantine at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, which confirmed their safe arrival early Wednesday morning. Although pandas are often lent to other countries, China retains ownership of the animals, including any offspring.

Archaeologists in Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, have uncovered a well-planned suburban settlement dating back to the Western Han Dynasty, offering new insights into life on the outskirts of the ancient capital Chang’an. The discovery was made during excavations at the Sanjiu relic site, according to the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology. The settlement dates from the middle of the Western Han period to the Xin Dynasty, which ruled between 202 BC and 25 AD. Also Read: Why a lone nihilist penguin from a 2007 documentary goes viral The Sanjiu site is located in Xi’an’s Weiyang District, about 0.6 kilometres east of the eastern wall of ancient Chang’an City. Archaeological work carried out in 2025 also revealed remains from later periods, including a Northern Wei cemetery, tombs from the Song Dynasty, and pottery kilns dating to the Qing Dynasty. Researchers found that the Western Han settlement was divided by a north to south ditch. On the eastern side, eight large courtyard-style residential complexes were arranged along a cross-shaped road system, forming what archaeologists believe was a central area for food processing activities. On the western side of the ditch, excavators identified workshops for bone processing and metal smelting alongside residential areas. The team recovered about 78 kilograms of bone and shell materials, as well as iron tools and decorative items such as bone earrings and shell beads, suggesting the presence of a jewellery production workshop. Also Read: Bird murals bring Hong Kong’s migratory stories to life in Lantau’s forgotten village Project leader Zhang Yanglizheng said the findings reveal previously unknown details about how suburban areas near Chang’an City were organised, highlighting the site’s importance for understanding social and economic structures during the Western Han period.

Greenland’s location in the Arctic places it at the heart of global nuclear defense planning, a reality highlighted anew by U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed push for his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system. In any hypothetical nuclear conflict involving the United States, Russia and China, intercontinental ballistic missiles would likely travel along the shortest routes, over the Arctic. That trajectory makes Greenland a critical point for early detection and potential interception. Trump has argued that U.S. ownership of Greenland is essential for the success of the multibillion-dollar “Golden Dome,” a layered missile defense system he claims will be operational before 2029. He has said modern offensive and defensive weapons systems make control of the territory especially important, sparking alarm in Denmark and among Greenlanders. A key element of Greenland’s importance is the Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base. Located above the Arctic Circle, the base hosts a powerful early-warning radar capable of detecting and tracking ballistic missile launches from thousands of kilometers away, including missiles fired from Russia or China toward the United States. Defense analysts note that the base gives Washington valuable extra minutes to assess and respond to potential attacks. The radar can monitor large swaths of the Arctic and detect objects as small as a car, according to the U.S. Air Force. However, experts question Trump’s claim that U.S. ownership of Greenland is necessary. The United States has operated at Pituffik for decades under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark, without sovereignty over the island. Analysts also point out that other allied locations, such as early-warning radar sites in the United Kingdom, play similar roles without any U.S. ownership claims. Some experts argue that emerging space-based sensors planned under the “Golden Dome” could eventually reduce Greenland’s strategic importance. They also note that Denmark has historically been a highly cooperative U.S. ally, making expanded military access possible without drastic political steps. As debates continue, Greenland remains a pivotal, and sensitive, crossroads in global nuclear defense calculations.

Chinese police have detained those responsible for a steel factory in the Inner Mongolia region after an explosion killed two people and sent 84 others to hospital, with eight still missing. City authorities in Baotou said a pressurised storage tank used to hold steam and high-temperature water exploded at a Baogang United Steel plant at around 3pm local time on Sunday. The blast triggered tremors across nearby areas, officials said on Monday. Rescue teams are continuing their search for eight people who remain unaccounted for. A representative of Baotou’s Information Office told a news conference that emergency crews were working around the clock at the site. Baogang United Steel is a major state-owned enterprise, according to Chinese state media.

Canada has agreed to reduce its 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in return for sharp cuts to Chinese duties on key Canadian farm products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday. Speaking after two days of talks with Chinese leaders, Carney said the deal will initially allow up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs to enter the Canadian market. In exchange, China will lower its tariff on Canadian canola seeds from about 84 percent to around 15 percent. The announcement came as Canada and China signaled a broader effort to reset relations after years of tension. Carney said his visit, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, marked “a historic and productive” step toward rebuilding ties and adapting cooperation to new global realities. He called for closer collaboration in agriculture, energy and finance. Chinese President Xi Jinping said talks since an initial meeting last October had helped open a new chapter in bilateral relations and that Beijing was willing to continue working to improve ties. Venezuela’s new leader signals oil sector reforms and warmer US ties Relations between the two countries deteriorated in recent years after Canada followed the United States in imposing steep tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. China retaliated with heavy duties on Canadian canola oil, meal and seeds, as well as pork and seafood, effectively shutting Canadian canola out of the Chinese market. The renewed engagement comes as both countries face economic pressure from US President Donald Trump’s America-first trade policies, which have disrupted global commerce and hit both the Canadian and Chinese economies. Carney said his government is seeking to build an economy less dependent on the United States and to diversify trade partnerships during a period of global trade disruption. After leaving China on Saturday, Carney will visit Qatar before heading to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, where he is expected to meet business leaders and investors to promote trade and investment.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 10 (Xinhua/UNB) — Two giant pandas from China, named “Chenxing” and “Xiaoyue,” made their first public appearance in Malaysia on Saturday. A milestone moment: Indonesia’s first giant Panda cub revealed The panda pair, which is on loan to Malaysia, was formally introduced to visitors during a special ceremony at the Giant Panda Conservation Center at Zoo Negara, the country’s national zoo. The debut followed a period of quarantine and adjustment to their new environment. Meet Jia Jia and De De, Hong Kong's first locally born giant pandas Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attended the event as the guest of honor, alongside senior government officials and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing. Giant Panda "Yi Yi" celebrates second birthday in Malaysia

China on Sunday called on the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, expressing serious concern over their seizure by U.S. forces. A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry said Beijing was responding to reports that U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife on Saturday and took them out of Venezuela, drawing objections from several countries. Starlink offers Free internet to Venezuela Until Feb 3 China said the move constituted a clear violation of international law, fundamental norms governing international relations, and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. The spokesperson urged the United States to ensure the personal safety of Maduro and his wife, stop efforts to overthrow the Venezuelan government, and resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation rather than force.

Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Beijing Ark Galaxy Technology Co., Ltd. and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) with a view to strengthening bilateral cooperation in vocational education, skills development, and human resource capacity building between Bangladesh and China. The MoU was signed on January 3 at the BCCCI Office and aims to establish a long-term and sustainable cooperative framework between affiliated vocational institutions of Bangladesh and leading vocational institutions of China. Under this strategic partnership, the parties will collaborate on technical training programs, institutional exchanges, technology sharing, and capacity development initiatives, thereby contributing to industrial growth and workforce modernization in both countries. Read more: Beijing seeks deeper cooperation with Dhaka to advance ‘Health Silk Road’ The signing ceremony was attended by Mohd. Khorshed Alam, President of BCCCI; Yue Xueshan, General Manager of Beijing Ark Galaxy Technology Co., Ltd.; and Lu Yong, Deputy General Manager of CCECC Bangladesh Ltd. (China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation). On behalf of BCCCI, the event was also attended by Secretary General Jamilur Rahman, Adviser to President Md. Faizul Alam, Vice President Khandaker Atiqur Rahman, Vice President Masud Ali Khan, Director Asif Haque Rupo, Executive Director Md. Abu Taher & Dr. Md. Sadi, Principal, Yidai Yilu Chinese Institute. This MoU, BCCCI on Sunday said, represents a significant milestone in strengthening institutional cooperation and fostering long-term partnerships aimed at supporting inclusive development and industrial competitiveness. Read more: 17 private banks sign MoU to support universal pension scheme

The first Bangladesh-China Joint Cardiovascular Disease Clinic was inaugurated at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) on Tuesday (December 02) to have deeper cooperation in the health sector, contributing to the ‘Health Silk Road’. Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Deputy Director General of the Yunnan Foreign Affairs Office Ma Zuoxin and Deputy Director of the Fuwai Yunnan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Shi Jinyang, among others, attended the ceremony. Read more: Have deep relations with US, extensive economic ties with China: Touhid Hossain