A group of 19 Bangladeshi youths, comprising academics, researchers, and journalists, participated in a ten-day visit to China as part of an exchange program organized by the Centre for China Studies (CCS) in partnership with the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS). The initiative aimed to strengthen bilateral friendship between China and Bangladesh, foster mutual understanding, and promote increased collaboration across various sectors between the two nations.
Throughout their 10-day visit, Bangladeshi youth scholars toured three key cities in China: Yunnan, Shanghai, and Beijing. They actively engaged in exchange programs hosted by Yunnan University, East China Normal University, Tongji University, the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, and the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality.
The youth leaders also explored prominent cultural and historical landmarks in China, such as Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China, the China Science and Technology Museum, the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, the 798 Art Zone, and 751D Park in Beijing.
The delegation comprises 13 university educators spanning various fields, three researchers affiliated with different national think tanks, and three journalists representing diverse media outlets. Prior to the exchange program, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen welcomed the Bangladeshi delegation at the Chinese embassy, urging them to maximize the exchange's benefits in fostering mutual understanding and cultural cooperation between the peoples of both nations.
“The exchange programme created a great opportunity for us to have a very deep learning on how to make plans for universities, plans for building an eco-friendly city and hold the cultural values and preserve the history”, said Prof Dr. Md Mizanur Rahman, lead of the Youth delegation also Professor of Dhaka University’s Microbiology department. “We can have and adopt China’s experiences in making sustainable plans for universities, building eco-friendly and well-planned cities, making the best use of technology and AI in preserving the history and culture”, Mizan said, adding, “We saw how they become successful adopting sustainable plans in the universities instead of some kind of experimental plans”.
"Instead of buying products from China directly, Bangladeshi Companies can produce high-tech products jointly with the Chinese companies as there is a huge and cheap labour market in Bangladesh", said Mizan. “I think there are huge opportunities for the two countries to exchange skilled human resources and quality research and share experiences in building a peaceful and prosperous world”, Mizan added.
