China reaffirms strong BRI partnership with BD
Diplomatic Correspondent :
China has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partnership with Bangladesh, terming it a model of “win-win cooperation in the Global South.”
The pledge came from Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the “Second Edition of Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition 2025,” organised by Chinese Embassy held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital on Friday.
The event was attended by Sk Bashir Uddin, Adviser to the Ministry of Commerce of the Interim Government of Bangladesh as chief guest, Mirana Mahrukh, additional secretary and wing chief of the Economic Relations Division at the Ministry of Finance, Md Sobur Hossain, additional secretary of the Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Han Kun, president of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh.
Speaking at the event, Bashir Uddin highlighted China’s expanding role in Bangladesh’s economy.
He noted that Chinese investment has risen significantly and that China remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner.
“We import billions of dollars’ worth of products from China, but our exports unfortunately do not match that scale.
Although China has given us duty-free access, we need dialogue on how to reduce the trade gap. Chinese investment has surged by nearly 300 percent over the past year,” he said.
He emphasised the need to strengthen Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector, taking lessons from China’s success in industrialization.
“China’s economy thrives on manufacturing. We must work collectively to boost our own capacity. China is now a hub of innovation, and we should learn from it.
With our large workforce, whether under an elected or interim government, entrepreneurs must identify opportunities and partner more closely with Chinese companies,” he added.
Turning to infrastructure and safety, the advisor called for urgent measures to address road accidents.
“Every year, thousands die in crashes involving goods-carrying vehicles and passenger buses. It is almost like a genocide on our roads. To ensure safety, we must improve road infrastructure and upgrade freight and passenger vehicles to higher-quality standards. China can help us tackle the problem,” he stressed.
Ambassador Yao Wen, in his address, described the BRI as a household name in Bangladesh and highlighted its transformative role.
“The China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership is a shining example of win-win cooperation in the Global South, and a vivid testimony to the successful practice of high-quality BRI cooperation in Bangladesh,” he said.
He pointed to major infrastructure achievements, including 8 railways, 12 highways, 21 bridges, and 31 power stations built by China in Bangladesh.
He also cited ongoing projects such as the Teesta River Comprehensive Management Project and the Modernisation of Mongla Port Facilities, noting that both large-scale and “small and beautiful” livelihood projects would continue to take root, blossom, and bear fruit in Bangladesh.
On trade, the Ambassador said Bangladesh’s exports to China had grown by 8.4 percent in the first half of 2025, while the bilateral trade gap narrowed by 7.9 percent.
He added that fresh Bangladeshi mangoes entered the Chinese market for the first time this year, with efforts underway to add jackfruit and guava to the export list.
Ambassador Yao also highlighted the surge in Chinese investment. “Since the establishment of the interim government, China has become the largest source of investment in Bangladesh.
In the first half of this year, Chinese investment increased by 254.3 percent. More than 20 Chinese enterprises have signed agreements worth nearly 800 million US dollars,” he noted.
Linking the BRI to President Xi Jinping’s new Global Governance Initiative (GGI), he emphasised that both are rooted in the principles of sovereign equality, multilateralism, and shared benefits.
“China is also ready to share its governance experience with Bangladesh to assist it in improving the business environment, and exploring solid institutional support for long-term development and greater international competitiveness,” Ambassador Yao assured.
A total of 40 companies, including 32 from China and 8 from Bangladesh, are participating in the two-day exhibition showcasing joint achievements and opportunities under the BRI framework.
Among the Chinese companies are Sichuan Road and Bridge Construction (Group), Co, Ltd., China Railway 16th Bureau Group Corporation Limited, China First Metallurgical Group Co, Ltd., Power Construction Corporation of China, Guangzhou MalishaEdu Co. Ltd., Belt and Road Healthcare Centre, Zhengxi Technology, China New Energy (BD) Co. Ltd.
In Bangladesh, a total of eight institutions, including City Bank, BRAC Bank, Midland Bank, and Prime Bank, have participated as financial service providers for Chinese companies.
Bangladesh became the first South Asian country to join the BRI in 2016 during President Xi Jinping’s visit, marking a new era of connectivity. The China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership stands as proof of the success of high-quality BRI cooperation.