China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong’s Visit to Dhaka Postponed

Originally set for a three-day trip beginning April 2, 2026, the visit was called off following an official announcement from Beijing that Sun Weidong has been promoted to the rank of Full Minister.

Due to his new high-level responsibilities, he will no longer be able to lead the Chinese delegation at the 14th Bangladesh-China Diplomatic Consultations (Foreign Secretary-level meeting), which was slated for April 3 in Dhaka.

According to diplomatic sources, the decision to postpone the visit and the high-level meeting was reached on the afternoon of Sunday, March 29, after mutual consultations between the two nations.

The Original Itinerary: Sun Weidong was expected to arrive in Dhaka from Colombo. His schedule included a formal courtesy call on Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.

New Momentum: This visit would have marked the first high-level delegation from Beijing since the formation of the new government in Bangladesh earlier this year. Diplomats believe that Sun Weidong’s promotion to a full ministerial role signals a significant elevation in his political standing, which could ultimately add a more robust dimension to China-Bangladesh strategic cooperation when the meeting is eventually rescheduled.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Dhaka and the Chinese Embassy are currently working to finalize a new date for the 14th Diplomatic Consultations. While the postponement is purely due to administrative changes in Beijing, both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the "Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership." Ambassador Yao Wen had previously noted that this visit was intended to inject "fresh momentum" into bilateral ties, particularly in infrastructure, trade, and regional stability.