Bangladesh-China relations: Strategy, trade, and security
Dr. Nasim Ahmed :
The global geopolitical landscape is experiencing significant changes. China’s emergence as a major strategic and economic power has altered regional power balances in Asia.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is navigating a complex environment marked by competition among major powers, including China, the United States, Russia, and the European Union. As a strategically located South Asian country bordering India and near the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh holds an important position in regional geopolitics.
For China, Bangladesh acts as a key partner in achieving its broader regional goals, especially under initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). For Bangladesh, working with China offers opportunities to speed up infrastructure projects, attract investment, and expand diplomatic ties beyond traditional allies.
Despite external pressures, especially from Western powers concerned about China’s expanding influence, Bangladesh has maintained a foreign policy of balance, often expressed as “Friendship towards all, malice towards none.” Building stronger Bangladesh-China relations within this geopolitical context requires careful adjustment to protect Bangladesh’s national interests without becoming overly dependent on any single power.
China has become one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners and sources of foreign direct investment. Bilateral trade between the two countries has grown considerably over the past decade, with China exporting machinery, electronics, and industrial inputs, while Bangladesh exports raw materials, agricultural products, and increasingly, ready-made garments (RMG) to China.
Although the trade volume has expanded significantly, the trade balance still heavily favors China. Fixing this imbalance is essential for sustainable economic cooperation.
Bangladesh’s strategic vision for economic growth, outlined in its Vision 2041, highlights industrialization, infrastructure development, and export diversification. China’s interest in supporting infrastructure through financing and construction, such as energy plants, bridges, and railway projects, aligns with Bangladesh’s development goals.
The China-Bangladesh Economic Corridor (CBEC) is an important example of this cooperation under the BRI framework. Successfully implementing such corridors can improve connectivity, attract investment, and create jobs.
At the same time, Bangladesh faces challenges such as limited access to Chinese markets, non-tariff barriers, and concerns about the quality and sustainability of Chinese loans.
Therefore, strategic engagement with China should aim to secure preferential market access for Bangladesh’s key export sectors, establish joint ventures in high-tech and manufacturing industries, and ensure that financing terms follow international best practices to prevent unsustainable debt burdens.
The security environment in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region is becoming more complex. Tensions in the South China Sea, the evolving U.S.-China rivalry, and shifting alliances influence Bangladesh’s security considerations.
Although Bangladesh has traditionally remained non-aligned, it has also worked to modernize its military and participate in cooperative security efforts, including United Nations peacekeeping missions.
China has become a key defense partner for Bangladesh, providing military equipment, training, and infrastructure support.
This partnership enhances Bangladesh’s defense capabilities, especially in naval modernization and cybersecurity. However, it is essential to ensure that defense cooperation with China does not strain Bangladesh’s relationships with other regional allies.
Balancing strategic ties requires open communication with neighboring countries and active participation in multilateral forums like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). These platforms offer opportunities to build trust, collaborate on security, and coordinate responses to non-traditional threats like climate change, terrorism, and human trafficking.
Beyond economics and geopolitics, strengthening bilateral relations involves expanding cultural and people-to-people interactions.
Educational exchanges, tourism, and cultural programs foster mutual understanding and help dispel misconceptions. Confucius Institutes, scholarships for Bangladeshi students to study in China, and language training initiatives can build stronger bonds. Additionally, cooperation in science, technology, and innovation can empower Bangladesh’s youth and research community.
Enhancing soft diplomacy through cultural festivals, media partnerships, and joint academic research can create a supportive environment for long-term bilateral cooperation. This aspect is often overlooked in strategic discussions, yet it fosters trust, goodwill, and sustainable partnerships at the societal level.
To effectively bolster bilateral relations amid shifting geopolitical, trade, economic, and security landscapes, Bangladesh can adopt these strategic policy directions.
1. Maintain an independent and balanced foreign policy that engages China constructively while maintaining strong ties with other major powers. Bangladesh should avoid overly relying on any single country and focus on building diverse partnerships.
2. Negotiate trade facilitation measures and favorable access to Chinese markets for Bangladesh’s major exports like RMG, leather, and agricultural products. Establish joint industrial parks and promote export-driven joint ventures.
3. Ensure Chinese investments in infrastructure and industry adhere to sustainability standards, fair financing conditions, and support local capacity building. Improve institutional mechanisms for project assessment and oversight.
4. Expand defense cooperation with China in areas of mutual interest while improving transparency and communication with regional partners to reduce security concerns and build confidence.
5. Invest in people-to-people diplomacy through scholarships, cultural programs, and academic partnerships that promote long-term understanding and collaboration.
Bangladesh-China bilateral relations require strategic foresight, balanced diplomacy, and a clear focus on national priorities.
By deepening economic cooperation, addressing trade imbalances, engaging in transparent defense partnerships, and promoting cultural connectivity, Bangladesh and China can build a resilient and mutually beneficial partnership.
Such a relationship should uphold Bangladesh’s sovereignty and developmental goals while contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
(The author is Associate Professor of Public Policy Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (Affiliated with the University
of Dhaka)