Bangladesh and China’s long-standing friendship has entered a new phase of cooperation and strategic engagement. Since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975 under President Ziaur Rahman, the two nations have maintained close collaboration. Recent visits by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, the Army Chief, and leaders from several major political parties have given renewed momentum to this historic partnership.
From Economic Cooperation to Strategic Partnership
In March this year, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus attended the Boao Forum for Asia in China’s Hainan Province and held bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping. During the visit, Bangladesh secured duty-free and quota-free access to the Chinese market until 2028, a facility that will remain valid for two additional years after Bangladesh’s graduation to middle-income status.
China also pledged US$2.1 billion in investments, loans, and grants, while thirty Chinese companies announced plans to invest US$1 billion in the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone at Anwara in Chattogram.
The Bangladesh government sought Chinese support for the Teesta River project and a comprehensive 50-year master plan for river and water management. President Xi Jinping expressed his government’s willingness to cooperate in these areas, particularly in flood control and environmental management.
During the visit, the two sides signed one agreement and eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering literature, culture, healthcare, and sports. Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China policy.
Expanding Military and Political Engagement
In August, Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman visited China, where he met top officials of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to discuss strategic cooperation, defense technology, and the modernization of Bangladesh’s military hardware.
Political engagement has also deepened. Delegations from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Nationalist Consensus Party (NCP) visited China in recent months.
A high-level BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met with senior officials of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to strengthen party-to-party relations and explore the signing of a memorandum of understanding for future political dialogue.
Similarly, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman led an eight-member delegation on the party’s first-ever official visit to China, emphasizing that bilateral relations have evolved “from friendship to a neighborly partnership.” NCP leaders also visited Beijing and expressed optimism about joint cooperation in the Teesta River management project.
Chinese Assistance in Healthcare
China is preparing to assist Bangladesh in constructing three major hospitals — a 1,000-bed specialized hospital in Nilphamari, a 700-bed general hospital in Chattogram, and a 100-bed rehabilitation hospital in Dhamrai, Dhaka. Additionally, a robotic physiotherapy center is planned at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) with Chinese support.
Four hospitals in Kunming, Yunnan Province, have already been designated for treating Bangladeshi patients, a development that comes amid visa restrictions in India, traditionally the primary destination for Bangladeshi medical travelers. Analysts suggest this initiative could make China an attractive new destination for medical tourism from Bangladesh.
Investment and Trade Collaboration
In June, Dhaka hosted the Bangladesh–China Investment and Trade Conference, attended by more than 100 Chinese companies, including representatives from several Fortune 500 firms. The conference was graced by Chief Adviser Dr Yunus and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Chinese investors expressed strong interest in investing in jute and jute goods, textiles, high-tech industries, and renewable energy in Bangladesh.
Celebrating 50 Years of Diplomatic Relations
In October, the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh–China diplomatic relations with a grand reception, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Luo Sang Jiangchun, Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, attended as the chief guest.
Bangladesh’s Ambassador Md Nazmul Islam emphasized that relations between Dhaka and Beijing have now evolved “beyond historical friendship into a strategic partnership.”
Expert Opinions
Dr Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), noted that “China has long been one of Bangladesh’s major development partners. Its role in infrastructure, including the Karnaphuli Tunnel and special economic zones, has been vital. Going forward, Bangladesh must focus not only on imports but also on gaining greater access to the Chinese market.”
Former Ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmad described the Chief Adviser’s recent visit as “highly successful,” adding that “China has shown strong interest in investing in southern Bangladesh’s rail and infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).”
In summary, as the two nations mark fifty years of diplomatic relations, China and Bangladesh are entering a new era of collaboration — one that spans trade, infrastructure, water management, healthcare, and strategic partnership. Experts believe this evolving alliance will play a crucial role in shaping Bangladesh’s future development trajectory.