Strategic ties between Dhaka, Beijing reinforced
Bangladesh and China have reaffirmed their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, pledging to deepen collaboration across trade, investment, connectivity and development.
The understanding emerged during a high-level meeting between Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr Khalilur Rahman, and Wang Huning in Beijing on Wednesday.
According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting underscored the enduring strength of bilateral ties and a shared commitment to expanding cooperation in key economic sectors.
Senior officials accompanying the minister included Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh Ambassador to China Md. Nazmul Islam.
Dr Rahman arrived in Beijing on 5 May for a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
He was received at the airport by Ambassador Nazmul Islam and a representative of China’s Foreign Ministry, Wei Huaxiang, reflecting the importance Beijing attaches to the visit.
The delegation includes key economic and diplomatic figures, notably Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, highlighting Dhaka’s focus on attracting Chinese investment and advancing major development projects.
A bilateral meeting between Dr Rahman and Wang Yi was scheduled for 6 May at the Diaoyutai State Guest House. Discussions were expected to focus on economic cooperation, infrastructure development and regional connectivity initiatives. The Foreign Minister is also expected to meet other senior Chinese leaders during the visit.
Bangladesh and China elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2016 during the landmark visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Dhaka. Since then, China has become one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners and a major source of infrastructure financing.
Chinese-supported projects in Bangladesh include bridges, power plants, industrial zones and transport networks, many of which fall under the Belt and Road Initiative. These investments have played a significant role in supporting Bangladesh’s economic growth and connectivity ambitions.
In recent years, Dhaka has sought to maintain a balanced foreign policy while strengthening economic diplomacy, with China remaining a key partner in development financing and industrial expansion. High-level exchanges such as Dr Rahman’s current visit are viewed as part of ongoing efforts to sustain momentum in bilateral ties and explore new areas of cooperation amid evolving regional and global dynamics.
The Foreign Ministry stated that the visit is expected to further consolidate relations and open new avenues for enhanced engagement, particularly in trade diversification, investment flows and technology transfer.
