Bangladesh and China have enjoyed friendly relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1975. Since then, cooperations between China and Bangladesh have risen exponentially. Bilateral ties between the two countries started solidifying, identifying each other’s interests and priorities. The relationship has undergone a tremendous transformation to the extent that China is now considered by many in Bangladesh as an ‘all-weather friend.’ Following this, Dhaka and Beijing are eyeing stronger ties, marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.
By Akib Rahman Shanto
Chief Adviser’s China Visit
Over the years, there have been regular high-level bilateral talks and visits between Bangladesh and China. Presidents and Ministers of both countries have historically taken the lead in helping to establish this relation. To build closer ties with Beijing, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus prepares for an official four-day visit to China this week. Following political changes in Bangladesh, China is focusing on strengthening ties between the two countries, and this visit would mark the beginning of that initiative.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is set to visit China on 26 March to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Conference in Hainan Province. As per the plans, Dr. Yunus will first participate in the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025, held from 25 to 28 March in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province. Many heads of international and regional organizations, ministerial-level officials, entrepreneurs of Fortune Global 500, and renowned experts and scholars have already confirmed their participation in the annual conference. On March 27, he will deliver a speech at the conference’s opening plenary session. He may also meet with China’s Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
The first bilateral meeting between Professor Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be held in Beijing on 28 March at the Great Hall of the People. On the same day, he will visit a high-tech enterprise under Huawei to inspect factories involved in making electric vehicles, solar energy, manufacturing plants, and semiconductor chips. Additionally, a leading Chinese media outlet will interview with him. On March 29, Yunus will deliver a speech at Peking University, where he will be awarded an honorary degree. This will be the chief advisor’s first bilateral visit to any country which is expected to deepen economic cooperation with China.
Expectations from Yunus’s China Visit
The Bangladesh-China relationship needs improvement in several areas, such as trade fairs, the Bangladesh-China FTA, the taka-yuan currency swap, the promotion of the MoU on the Special Assistance Plan for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and the common development of the Bangladesh-China economy. China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, with the volume being $25 billion a year. However, Bangladesh’s exports to China amount to less than $1 billion, though China provides Bangladesh with zero-tariff market access. Keeping these in mind, this upcoming Beijing visit is hoped to balance all the objectives from Bangladesh.
Recently, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain told the media, “Our main goal is to take friendly relations with Beijing to a higher level, especially by increasing economic cooperation. We want more investment from China and plan to increase the export of our products there.” He said, “A major topic of discussion is attracting Chinese investment to Bangladesh’s special economic zone in Chittagong. We hope that Chinese companies will relocate their factories here and take advantage of Bangladesh’s favorable investment environment.”
However, Md Touhid Hossain confirmed that no agreements will be signed during the visit, but a few Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected. Dhaka and Beijing have been working on signing at least eight memoranda of understanding, including on trade, culture, modernization of Mongla Port, and water management during the four-day tour. Dhaka will be making the same proposals as it did during Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain’s visit to China in January. He also noted that Bangladesh has not yet fully exploited Beijing’s market advantages, as the range of products for export is limited. Export diversification will be crucial to tap into China’s vast consumer market.
Cooperation in the healthcare sector is also another important topic of discussion; especially as Bangladeshi patients are facing difficulties in seeking treatment in India due to visa-related issues. Bangladesh has requested China to designate four hospitals in Kunming that will have special facilities for Bangladeshi patients. The establishment of high-quality hospitals in Bangladesh will be a milestone in Sino-Bangla relations. River water management will be another agenda during Yunus’ visit, according to foreign ministry officials. In 2023, China proposed implementing the Teesta River management project in phases, but Bangladesh did not go ahead with it.
It is worth mentioning that Longi, a solar panel manufacturer, has decided to set up an office and invest in solar panel manufacturing in Bangladesh. Several top Chinese solar panel manufacturers visited Bangladesh in December to explore opportunities to invest in the country. Of the companies that visited Bangladesh, at least two Chinese firms, including Longi, have decided to set up offices and plants in the country. Longi’s decision marks a bright spot in Bangladesh’s economic reset. With Chinese investment flowing and diplomatic ties deepening, Yunus’s vision—and his China visit—could power a new era of growth, from solar fields to hospital wards.
The Rohingya issue will get priority in Beijing as China’s role is crucial in commencing the repatriation of the forcibly displaced people from Bangladesh to Myanmar. Dhaka will definitely seek China’s strong role in addressing the Rohingya crisis that has become complicated with the Arakan Army taking control of about 90 percent of Rakhine state. It is high time that China pressured Myanmar to improve the security situation in Rakhine, which would facilitate talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar and promote conditions of repatriation and resettlement facilities.
Bangladesh is expecting to boost exports and bring investment and development support from China during Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’ first bilateral visit which will be watched closely by regional powers in the light of the changed Indo-Bangla ties. Dr. Yunus’s visit to China comes as Bangladesh seeks to chart its course amid shifting global alliances. His visit signals a clear intention to deepen ties with China, balancing strategic considerations with economic imperatives. Experts believe that this visit carries symbolic significance and will lay the foundation for future cooperation.
It is worth mentioning that Bangladesh is willing to engage in mutual support with China in international forums, strengthen coordination in regional affairs, act as partners in promoting connectivity and regional economic integration, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. As the two nations approach the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Beijing has expressed its commitment to advancing all ties with Bangladesh. And now it is hoped that China’s enthusiastic approach, to bilateral relations could reach a unique height during the tenure of the interim government. And, the Chief Adviser’s China visit may “elevate the relationships to a new level” as such visits contribute to greater cooperation in areas like trade, investment, infrastructure, and regional connectivity.
Akib Rahman Shanto, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka.
