Rahman's China visit marks new milestone in China-Bangladesh ties

China and Bangladesh are looking to translate long-standing political trust into more concrete cooperation, with a growing focus on emerging industries, connectivity and regional coordination. Against the backdrop, the two countries on Friday agreed to elevate their bilateral ties by building a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era, marking a milestone during Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first official visit to China since taking office.

The agreement underscored growing political trust between the two countries and a shared commitment to expanding cooperation across both traditional and emerging sectors, while strengthening coordination on regional and global affairs.

Rahman's visit also took him to northeastern China's Dalian, where he attended the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, where leaders, policymakers and business executives gathered to discuss innovation-led development and the future of the global economy. His participation underscores Bangladesh's interest in expanding cooperation with China beyond traditional sectors into emerging industries and technological innovation. 

From political trust to a higher-level partnership

When meeting with Prime Minister Rahman at the Great Hall of the People on Friday, President Xi Jinping said China has always attached great importance to its relations with Bangladesh and will remain "a trustworthy good friend, good neighbor and good partner" regardless of changes in the international landscape.

Xi said China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the new government's governance efforts.

Rahman congratulated the Communist Party of China on the 105th anniversary of its founding. He described China as a valued and trusted partner, and said Chinese modernization is an example for Bangladesh to learn from. He also reaffirmed Bangladesh's firm commitment to the one-China principle, opposition to any form of "Taiwan independence."

Building on a solid foundation

The upgraded relationship has been underpinned by decades of steadily expanding practical cooperation. Official data showed that China has been Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade exceeding $24.05 billion in 2024. Bangladesh was the first South Asian country to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Over the past decade, Chinese companies have participated in a series of landmark projects in Bangladesh, improving connectivity and supporting the country's economic development.

Against this backdrop, Friday's meeting pointed to a new phase of bilateral cooperation, building on existing achievements while expanding into innovation-driven sectors.

Expanding cooperation for the future

Xi said China is ready to work with Bangladesh to carry out high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and make sound plans for cooperation in priority areas. He flagged the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor as a vehicle for greater regional connectivity.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh in trade, e-commerce, industrial and supply chains, and investment, help Bangladesh strengthen its export capacity, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, according to a joint statement released on Friday.

Bangladesh said it is ready to create a favorable environment for Chinese enterprises investing in the country. The two sides also expressed readiness to advance major connectivity and industrial projects, including the modernization and expansion project of the Mongla Port and the development of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram.

Xi also called for exploring new cooperation potential in green and low-carbon development, the digital economy, information technology and artificial intelligence (AI) – areas that featured prominently in this year's Summer Davos discussions on the future of global growth.

Commenting on this strategic shift, Zhang Jiadong, director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, said that green energy and the digital economy offer a more agile, cost-effective pathway for Bangladesh to accelerate growth compared to traditional heavy infrastructure. "China has very good technology and a solid foundation in these sectors, and leveraging China-based AI models could help Bangladesh immensely in its future development," Zhang said. 

People-to-people exchanges are also expected to gain fresh momentum. Xi said China is willing to expand cooperation in healthcare, education and culture, increasing subnational exchanges.

Rahman said Bangladesh hopes to deepen cooperation with China in economy and trade, connectivity, agriculture, technology, green energy, education and health to support its modernization drive.

A stronger voice for the Global South

Beyond bilateral cooperation, the visit also highlighted growing coordination between the two countries on international affairs.

Xi said China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Bangladesh under multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, to jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, while safeguarding the common interests of the Global South.

Rahman said the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four global initiatives, referring to Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative, proposed by President Xi, contribute to world peace, development and international fairness. He said Bangladesh is willing to strengthen coordination with China on regional and international affairs and uphold the outcomes of the victory of WWII and the UN-centered international order.