Recently, the Centre for China Studies (CCS) has been vigorously organizing and preparing the visit of the first CCS Bangladesh Young Leaders Delegation to China. The delegation consists of 19 outstanding young representatives from renowned universities, prominent think tanks, and the media circle in Bangladesh. On May 30, 2024, as the delegation was about to set off, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen invited all delegation members to the Chinese embassy for a send-off ceremony. Zhang Jing, Director of Political Section of the embassy, Li Hongmei, Executive Deputy Director of CCS, and Yang Hui, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute at University of Dhaka were also present at the ceremony. Ambassador Yao Wen first congratulated the delegation on their upcoming visit to China and expressed his appreciation for the diversity of the delegation members. He praised the series of significant achievements Bangladesh has made in recent years and expressed his hopes that in the next five years, Bangladesh will continue its persistent efforts to transform from a small South Asian country into a significant force on the global stage. He highlighted the many similarities between China and Bangladesh, including rapid economic development, long-term political and social stability, and strong leadership steering national development.

Ambassador Yao also briefed the delegation on the cooperation projects and achievements between China and Bangladesh, as well as future cooperation directions. He said that China will actively support Bangladesh in their effort to achieve its “Vision 2041” and “Smart Bangladesh” initiatives. He stressed that amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations, while cultural and people-to-people exchanges are the cornerstone of friendly cooperation between nations and an important way to enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of two countries. The cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Bangladesh have been flourishing. Coming at a fitting time, the visit of the delegation will help enhance its members’ understanding of China's economic and social development, facilitate friendly exchanges between the youths of the two countries, and ensure the long-term stability of China-Bangladesh friendly cooperation.

Associate Professor MD Mizanur Rahaman from University of Dhaka, Head of the Bangladesh young leaders delegation, made responses on behalf of the Bangladeshi youth. He expressed gratitude to the CCS for providing this valuable opportunity, saying that the visit will undoubtedly enhance their understanding of China and they will help promote cultural and people-to-people cooperation between the two countries through concrete actions. Other delegation members also actively engaged in discussions with Ambassador Yao on cooperation between China and Bangladesh in finance, technology, trade, culture, and security. The delegation members expressed their hope that China and Bangladesh will continue to tap cooperation potential in various fields and achieve comprehensive development of China-Bangladesh relations.

The visit of the Bangladesh Young Leaders Delegation to China aims to promote exchanges and interactions between the youths of the two countries, and to foster mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. The delegation will arrive in China on June 2 and go on a 10-day field trip in Kunming, Shanghai, and Beijing. During the trip, they will have discussions with relevant government agencies, think tanks, universities, and enterprises, visit local museums and cultural landmarks, and experience China's traditional culture as well as socio-economic development.