A claim has been circulating since August last year alleging that China’s state-run news outlet, Xinhua, declared the Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh illegal. Fact-checking by FactWatch reveals that Xinhua, a Chinese state-controlled media organization, regularly reports on Bangladesh with significant focus, covering topics ranging from political developments to winter events and trade fairs. Following the assumption of office by the interim government, Xinhua continued to publish relevant reports with due importance. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Xinhua ever declared the Yunus-led government illegal. Additionally, no reports from Bangladesh’s mainstream media outlets substantiate this claim. The baseless nature of this information, spread without reliable sources, has led FactWatch to label it as "false."

The rumor, proliferating on Facebook, appears to be linked to an article published on a website named “Shadhin Bangladesh News 24/7.” This article asserts that Xinhua labeled the Yunus government illegal. However, no supporting evidence for such a claim has been found on Xinhua or any credible source.

Upon further investigation, a review of Xinhua’s official website confirms that it is a state-controlled news platform that frequently publishes reports on Bangladesh within its Asia and Pacific section. The first report on Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government was published on August 7, 2024. That report mentioned that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus would serve as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government.

On August 9, 2024, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the interim government, stating, “China has observed the formation of an interim government in Bangladesh, and we welcome this development. China firmly adheres to a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. We respect Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the Bangladeshi people’s right to choose their path of development.”

On the same day, The Daily Star published a report titled "China Welcomes Yunus-led Interim Government," indicating clear support from China towards Bangladesh's interim government. This evidence contradicts any claim that China or its state-run media ever declared the government illegal.

The implausibility of Xinhua publishing such a contradictory report is evident, given the welcoming stance of the Chinese government towards the interim government. A thorough review of Xinhua’s coverage on Bangladesh since the interim government assumed office confirms that no report labeled the Yunus government as illegal. Instead, regular coverage on various topics, such as a December 16, 2024 report on Bangladesh's upcoming elections, reflects routine reporting. That report quoted the chief adviser stating that elections would be held between late 2025 and mid-2026. Most recently, in January 2025, Xinhua published a single report on Bangladesh, focusing on winter-related events.

It is therefore evident that the claim about Xinhua declaring the Yunus government illegal is entirely unfounded. FactWatch has rightly identified the Facebook posts propagating this misinformation as "false."

Original News Link: - https://www.fact-watch.org/yunus-is-not-illegal/