Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is likely to visit China and Japan, respectively in March and May as part of his global outreach and strengthening bilateral ties, officials said.

Dr Yunus is likely to leave Dhaka on March 26 for China after attending the Independence Day programme.

Bangladesh and China are looking forward to a bilateral meeting on March 28 in Beijing between the two leaders – Prof Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On August 25 last year, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed the Chinese leadership's invitation to Prof Yunus to visit China at his convenience.

"The visit is taking place, as of now. Chief Adviser Dr Yunus is likely to leave Dhaka on March 26," a senior official told UNB, noting that preparations are underway.

However, officials working on the visit said the details of the meeting have not yet been worked out.

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As per the plans, the chief adviser will first attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 which will be held from March 25 to 28 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province.

BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun said with the theme "Asia in the changing World: Towards a shared Future," this year's event will focus on development, foster dialogue, explore innovative formats and value tangible outcomes, all aimed at promoting international development and cooperation.

He said the theme is intended to reinvigorate multilateralism, promote openness and development, jointly respond to global challenges, and carry out the commitments of the UN Summit of the Future while focusing on the development of Asia.

Many heads of international and regional organisations, ministerial-level officials, entrepreneurs of Fortune Global 500, and renowned experts and scholars have already confirmed their participation in the annual conference, Zhang said.

In February this year, Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina Akiko invited Prof Yunus to visit Japan for the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia event to be held on May 29-30 in Tokyo.

She also invited Prof Yunus, a recipient of the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2004, to Osaka Expo 2025, a separate event, to be held in May.

Officials said the chief adviser will attend the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia event and both sides are working to arrange a bilateral meeting between Prof Yunus and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.