China’s strategic shift through comprehensive engagement

Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
In a recently held bilateral meeting between the governments of Bangladesh and China, Beijing has demonstrated a clear focus on deepening its relationship with Dhaka for both internal and regional interests, experts said.

The governments of Bangladesh and China unveiled plans to enhance their relationship, signaling China’s strategic intent to solidify its influence in South Asia and tap into Bangladesh’s significant market.

Experts highlight that this partnership is crucial for China, aiming to strengthen ties with Dhaka across various sectors, including trade, investment, digital economy, and infrastructure development.

International expert Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed told the New Nation on Friday, “The joint statement clearly outlines their commitment to establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”
“Generally, joint statements with China or India broadly outline infrastructural development.

This time, the statement pinpoints China’s comprehensive engagement in almost all areas like health, hospitals, digital economy, water supply, drainage, subways, rail and roads, oil and gas, media, solid waste management and so on,” he said.

“Such engagement clearly indicates that it has not been done hastily and superficially but has taken a long time to prepare.”

Dr. Imtiaz also noted that China typically does not delay implementing its commitments. “China’s investment and collaboration could enhance its economic foothold while countering the influence of other powers in South Asia. Now we have to wait and see how and when China fulfills its commitment.”

Regarding China’s pledge of one billion dollars in assistance instead of larger loans like $5 billion for budgetary support, Dr. Imtiaz said, “This visit was not focused on loans, as stated by the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. Rather, we have seen it in media reports.”

Earlier, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that China will provide Bangladesh with grants, interest-free loans, concessional loans, and commercial loan assistance.

A technical delegation from China will visit Bangladesh soon to discuss this matter.

The joint statement primarily focused on historical friendship, sovereignty and support, high-level interactions between political parties, the Belt and Road Initiative for further collaboration, infrastructure projects, trade and investment, digital economy, agricultural cooperation, health and education, people-to-people exchanges, maritime cooperation, cultural heritage protection, global initiatives, human rights protection, Rohingya repatriation, climate change, and more. Experts said that these points reflect a comprehensive commitment to enhancing bilateral relations across multiple sectors.

This partnership is not only beneficial for Bangladesh’s development but also serves China’s interests in ensuring regional stability and securing trade routes.

Regarding the repatriation of the Rohingyas, Professor Imtiaz noted a new dimension, stating that the joint statement mentioned a ‘platform for dialogue,’ indicating that discussions will not be limited to the government level.

“China will continue to provide support for this purpose to the best of its abilities, including providing a platform for dialogue to help achieve early repatriation of the displaced people,” the statement highlighted.

“I think the Chinese government will not only keep the Rohingya issue between the government levels but will extend it to all levels, including Track II diplomacy,” he said.

The joint statement also emphasized respecting each other’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The Chinese side firmly supports Bangladesh in maintaining peace and stability, realizing development goals under Vision 2041, non-interference in its internal affairs, and independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions.

Though various aspects were covered in the joint statement of the two countries, the Teesta River project was not mentioned.

This is a major issue for Bangladesh regarding water management for biodiversity and aquatic lives in the region.

With India expressing its intention to work on the project, Bangladesh has stated that as it is a joint river between Bangladesh and India, they would consider their neighbor first.

Before visiting China, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, in response to a journalist’s question during the visit’s curtain raiser, said, “If China raises the Teesta issue, then they will talk about it.”

Experts opined that this visit would bring the two nations much closer through comprehensive engagement and cooperation in multifaceted arenas.