Bangladesh, China joint water projects discussed in technical meet
NN Online:
Bangladesh and China have taken a significant step toward enhancing bilateral cooperation in water resources management, following up on a consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus during their meeting in Beijing earlier this year.
In line with this shared commitment, the Ministry of Water Resources of Bangladesh hosted a high-level Chinese technical delegation from 27 July to 1 August 2025. The visit marked a milestone in the long-standing partnership between the two countries in addressing pressing water-related challenges.
The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Xu Zhaoming, Chief Planner of the Changjiang Water Resources Commission (CWRC) under China’s Ministry of Water Resources. The team comprised senior engineers and experts from CWRC, the CISPDR Corporation, and the International Economic & Technical Cooperation and Exchange Center of China’s MWR.
On the Bangladesh side, the engagement was headed by Md. Enayet Ullah, Director General of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), with active participation from senior officials of the Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO), the River Research Institute (RRI), and other technical agencies.
Over the course of five days, the delegation visited several critical areas affected by waterlogging, river pollution, salinity intrusion, and erosion. Key sites included the Buriganga River, the Bhabadah region in Jashore, and Polder 31 in Khulna’s Dacope area. These field visits provided the Chinese experts with firsthand understanding of Bangladesh’s pressing water resource issues.
On 31 July, a bilateral technical meeting was held at Pani Bhaban in Dhaka, where both sides exchanged views on future collaboration. Discussions focused on enhancing joint efforts in water resources planning to foster sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development. Restoration of the Buriganga River emerged as a priority area of cooperation.
Both delegations agreed to explore further avenues for technical collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange to address shared challenges in water resource management.
This renewed engagement underscores the growing strategic partnership between Bangladesh and China and reflects a shared vision for long-term cooperation in managing water resources for sustainable development.