New momentum in BD–China ties Prof Imtiaz

Executive Director of The Centre for Alternatives, Bangladesh and former Chairman of the Department of International Affairs at the University of Dhaka, Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, has said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s ongoing visit to China is expected to help restore Bangladesh’s development trajectory through deeper bilateral cooperation.

He noted that investment should be a key priority for the new Bangladeshi government, particularly as inflows have declined over the past two years amid political uncertainty and instability.

Speaking in an interview with Xinhua, Prof Ahmed said: “Now that we have an elected government with a mandate, I believe the new government will try to increase investment as much as possible.”

At the invitation of Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of China, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman is undertaking an official visit to China.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese leaders, including a meeting with Premier Li Qiang on June 25 and with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 26.

Prof Ahmed said Bangladesh expects increased Chinese investment not only in infrastructure but also in the health, education and energy sectors, noting that public demand is particularly strong in health and primary education.

He added that surveys conducted by his centre over the past three years indicated a highly positive perception of China among the Bangladeshi public.

“There is strong public support for China and for Chinese investment,” he said, noting that Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, including ports and bridges, have made a visible contribution to Bangladesh’s development.

Prof Ahmed also referred to his recent publication examining both the five-decade evolution of Bangladesh-China relations and long-standing civilisational ties between the two nations, stressing the importance of building on this historical foundation.

He further observed that, as the world moves towards multipolarity, countries of the Global South and Asian economies are gaining increasing significance. Bangladesh, he said, could emerge as a key actor in strengthening cooperation among Global South nations.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said the Prime Minister’s visit comes at a historic moment as both countries enter what he described as the “next golden 50 years” of diplomatic relations.

He said the visit would “inject strong impetus into the development of Bangladesh-China relations in the coming period and promote the upgrading of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in both quality and substance.”

Under the strategic guidance of the leadership of both countries, he added, Bangladesh-China relations would continue to advance with stronger political mutual trust, deeper practical cooperation, and enhanced international collaboration.