Diplomatic Correspondent :
Dhaka and Beijing have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in water resources management, following a week-long visit by a high-level Chinese technical delegation to Bangladesh.
The visit placed particular focus on restoring the heavily polluted Buriganga River.
This initiative stems from a consensus reached earlier this year between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus during a summit in Beijing.
From 27 July to 1 August, the Ministry of Water Resources of Bangladesh hosted the Chinese delegation, which was led by Xu Zhaoming, Chief Planner of the Changjiang Water Resources Commission (CWRC) under China’s Ministry of Water Resources.
The delegation comprised senior engineers and experts from CWRC, the CISPDR Corporation, and the International Economic and Technical Cooperation and Exchange Centre of the Chinese Ministry.
The five-day mission sought to advance sustainable water management cooperation between the two countries. During their stay, the delegation conducted field visits to several sites grappling with water-related challenges, including waterlogging, river pollution, salinity intrusion, and erosion. Key locations visited included the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bhabadah in Jashore, and Polder 31 in the Dacope region of Khulna.
According to officials, these site visits offered valuable insight into Bangladesh’s water management challenges and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
The delegation was received by Md Enayet Ullah, Director General of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), with active participation from senior representatives of the Water Resources Planning Organisation (WARPO), River Research Institute (RRI), and other relevant institutions.
The visit concluded with a bilateral technical meeting held on 31 July at Pani Bhaban in Dhaka. Both sides exchanged technical expertise and strategic perspectives on key water resource issues.
A significant outcome of the discussions was a mutual agreement to strengthen collaboration in planning and executing inclusive and environmentally resilient water management initiatives.
The restoration of the Buriganga River emerged as a central topic of discussion, with both nations expressing optimism that their partnership would yield concrete benefits for millions of people in Bangladesh affected by ongoing water-related crises.
The visit is seen as part of a broader strategic engagement between Bangladesh and China, particularly in infrastructure, climate resilience, and environmental cooperation.
Officials noted that Bangladesh stands to benefit significantly from Chinese technical cooperation in addressing waterlogging, drawing on China’s expertise in hydrological forecasting, flood control, river rehabilitation, and integrated water resources management.
Over the past decade, significant financial investments have been made to address waterlogging in urban areas. In Dhaka alone, Dhaka WASA has spent over Tk 20 billion, while the two city corporations have contributed an additional Tk 7.3 billion. Yet, the problem remains acute.
A World Bank study warns that between 2014 and 2050, waterlogging could cost Dhaka as much as Tk 110 billion if unaddressed, with losses rising to Tk 139 billion under increased rainfall scenarios.
In Chattogram, waterlogging at Khatunganj market alone caused Tk 514 crore in losses in 2020, with annual damages estimated in the thousands of crores. Sylhet, too, has spent over Tk 1,500 crore on flood control in the past decade, but damage and disruption continue.
Against this backdrop, cooperation with China is seen as a timely opportunity for cities like Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chattogram to adopt more effective water management practices.
During Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus’s visit to China in March, the two nations agreed to deepen collaboration in hydrological data exchange, flood forecasting, disaster mitigation, river dredging, and the development of water resources and technologies.
In a joint statement, both sides welcomed the signing of the Implementation Plan under the MoU on Exchange of Hydrological Information on the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna River. Bangladesh also welcomed Chinese investment in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP).
The two countries further agreed to work together on climate change initiatives, blue economy cooperation, and maritime affairs. A new round of Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation is expected to be held at an appropriate time.
Sources indicate that the Dhaka-Beijing partnership will continue to expand across multiple sectors, fostering shared development and mutual benefits.
