Former adviser to the interim government and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Nahid Islam, is set to embark on a four-day official visit to China immediately following his trip to Malaysia.
He will lead an eight-member NCP delegation in what is being framed as a mission to strengthen bilateral ties.
According to diplomatic sources, the delegation will depart from Dhaka for China on August 26 and is scheduled to return home on August 30.
Ahead of the visit, a formal reception was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday, August 21. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen attended the event, where he delivered a short speech wishing the delegation a successful and productive trip. The embassy later shared details of the gathering on its official Facebook page.
Nahid Islam and other senior NCP leaders were present at the reception. Speaking on the occasion, Nahid said the upcoming visit would serve as a “golden opportunity” to elevate Bangladesh-China relations to a new level, particularly in the areas of youth engagement, trade, and technological cooperation.
From Malaysia to China: A diplomatic double-header
Before heading to China, Nahid Islam will first visit Malaysia from August 22 to 24, at the invitation of the NCP Diaspora Alliance, Malaysia Chapter.
During the three-day trip, he is expected to engage in dialogue with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, as well as representatives from social, political, and professional circles. The itinerary includes discussion forums, community dinners, and meetings with journalists and human rights activists.
He will also make a courtesy call on officials at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
Rising diplomatic engagement
Nahid’s visit follows a recent surge in political delegations from Bangladesh to China.
In July, a nine-member team led by Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman visited Beijing on July 11-15. Earlier, in June, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led a delegation to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The growing number of cross-party visits underscores China’s deepening political and economic influence in Bangladesh, as well as the interest among emerging political leaders in expanding international outreach.
As one of the most prominent youth leaders in the current political landscape, Nahid’s upcoming tour is being closely watched as a sign of the NCP’s ambition to play a key role in shaping Bangladesh’s foreign engagement.