Family legacy, pledge led to new level of Chinese ties

China and Bangladesh have elevated their bilateral relationship to a new level through a shared commitment to deeper cooperation and long-term development, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen has said, describing the move as the beginning of a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

Explaining the rationale behind upgrading bilateral ties, the ambassador highlighted the historical role played by former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in fostering cooperation with China, while also pointing to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s commitment to further strengthening relations with Beijing.

“Tarique Rahman’s father and mother made tremendous contributions to China-Bangladesh cooperation,” Yao said during a press conference at the Chinese Embassy on Thursday.

“We all understand that our relationship was founded by his father Major Ziaur Rahman and was developed and matured when his mother Khaleda Zia was prime minister of Bangladesh.”

Recalling Khaleda Zia’s engagements with China during her tenure, the envoy noted that she had visited the country three times as prime minister, helping to deepen bilateral understanding and collaboration.

He said the current leadership in Bangladesh was keen to build on that legacy and expand cooperation in a range of sectors.

“The new prime minister, Tarique Rahman, is committed to carrying forward the tradition of his family,” Yao said.

“He also wants more support from China to overcome difficulties in terms of economic cooperation, social development and national independence,” the envoy said. The ambassador said both sides were determined to send a strong signal about the future direction of the relationship.

“We want to send a very positive message to both China and Bangladesh that China-Bangladesh relations will continue to rise,” he said.

“So we need a new definition and new objective between China and Bangladesh. Therefore, we reached a consensus on a China-Bangladesh Community of Shared Future. It will open more chapters for China-Bangladesh relations.”

According to Yao, the concept of a “China-Bangladesh Community of Shared Future” provides a fresh framework for advancing cooperation and reflects the strategic importance both countries attach to the partnership. He stressed that the relationship had consistently remained strong regardless of political developments in either country.

“The essence of China-Bangladesh friendship means our cooperation and relations are directly linked to the people,” he said.

“No matter which government is ruling, our cooperation is beyond political differences,” Yao said.
The Chinese ambassador said the enduring strength of bilateral ties was rooted in people-to-people friendship, mutual respect and a shared commitment to development, adding that the upgraded relationship would create new opportunities for cooperation in economic growth, infrastructure, social development and regional connectivity.

His remarks come as Dhaka and Beijing seek to deepen engagement across a wide range of sectors, with both countries signalling a desire to expand their strategic partnership and pursue broader development objectives under the newly agreed framework from a “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership”.

About the outcome of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China, the ambassador said the visit achieved four major outcomes: elevating bilateral relations to a new strategic level through the decision to build a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future; strengthening mutual trust by reaffirming support for each other’s core interests, including Bangladesh’s commitment to the One-China principle; expanding win-win cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative in areas such as trade, technology, green development and major infrastructure projects; and enhancing international coordination to uphold the UN-centred international system and promote an inclusive, multipolar world order.