Desk Report – In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, China has proposed the establishment of a strategic economic corridor stretching from Bangladesh to China via Myanmar.
The proposal was discussed alongside key agreements on port development, Rohingya repatriation, defense cooperation, and Bangladesh’s potential BRICS membership during higAdd Posth-level bilateral talks in the Chinese capital.
The developments were announced during a press conference on Friday (June 26) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in central Beijing by Mahdy Amin, the spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office.
The briefing followed a crucial morning meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A New Strategic Partnership
Spokesperson Mahdy Amin stated that the Prime Minister’s historic state visit has successfully elevated the multifaceted relationship between Bangladesh and China into a long-term strategic partnership built on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.
During the brief but intensive visit, Prime Minister Rahman held separate high-level meetings with China’s top three leaders: President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC).
17 MoUs Signed to Deepen Cooperation
The bilateral discussions culminated in the signing of 17 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs):
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Ministry-to-Ministry: 13 inter-governmental agreements were signed directly in the presence of both Prime Ministers.
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Investment Promotion: 3 agreements were inked between the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and various Chinese stakeholders.
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Political Alignment: 1 agreement was established between the ruling political parties of both nations to enhance party-to-party relations.
A comprehensive 16-point joint declaration detailing the consensus and long-term understandings reached during this state visit is currently being finalized.
Furthermore, the Chinese leadership paid high tribute to the pioneering roles of late President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia in establishing the 50-year-old diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Balancing Trade and Encouraging Factory Relocation
Addressing Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, the two sides held detailed discussions on reducing the massive trade gap. While Bangladesh imports a substantial volume of raw materials from China—particularly for its ready-made garments (RMG) sector—direct exports to China remain limited.
To counter this, Chinese leadership expressed strong interest in prioritizing Bangladesh for factory relocations. By bringing Chinese manufacturing units to Bangladesh, the initiative aims to leverage local human resources, enhance technical capacity, and create extensive employment opportunities.
Infrastructure, Energy, and the Teesta Mega Plan
China reaffirmed its commitment to boosting multi-modal transportation, offering extensive cooperation in developing roads, bridges, and railways across Bangladesh. Key infrastructural highlights include:
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Expediting the implementation of the Anwara Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram and the Mongla Economic Zone.
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Prioritizing green energy, power sector problem-solving, and eco-friendly sustainable infrastructure.
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Participating in the Teesta Mega Plan, a comprehensive water management project originally included in the BNP electoral manifesto. China expressed keen interest in joining the project right from the planning and feasibility study stages, providing technical support, execution strategy, and design framework.
The proposed Bangladesh-Myanmar-China Economic Corridor stands out as a flagship initiative designed to vastly expand the horizon of the Bangladeshi economy through cross-border connectivity.