China and Bangladesh have agreed to explore options for direct connectivity between the two countries and for developing the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor (CMBC), Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said on Thursday, describing the initiatives as new strategic opportunities for Bangladesh’s economic development.
Briefing reporters in Dhaka on the outcomes of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s June 22-26 visit to China, the ambassador also said Beijing’s commitment to the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project remained unchanged and that China would continue to support the project within its capacity, including expediting the feasibility study and related work.
Yao Wen said the leaders of the two countries had agreed to explore “new options for regional connectivity, including direct connectivity between China and Bangladesh, and the development of the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor”.
“We believe these initiatives will open up new strategic opportunities for Bangladesh’s economic development,” he said.
The ambassador said Rahman’s visit had elevated bilateral ties to “a new strategic height”. He described the decision to upgrade the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future in the New Era as the visit’s most significant outcome, calling it “the highest level of China’s relations with its friendly neighbours in Asia”.
During the visit, Rahman met Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. The two sides discussed bilateral, regional and international issues, witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents and issued a joint communiqué.
Ambassador Wen said both countries had agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen cooperation between governments, legislatures and political parties, establish a strategic dialogue mechanism between their foreign ministers, and explore a “2+2” dialogue mechanism covering diplomacy and defence.
He said the two sides had also agreed to expand high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, align development strategies, and deepen cooperation in green and low-carbon development, the digital economy, information technology, artificial intelligence, trade, industrial and supply chains, finance, health, education, culture and subnational exchanges. Major projects, including ports and water resources development, would also be steadily advanced.
On investment, Yao Wen said Bangladesh would establish its first overseas investment office in China. During the visit, the two sides signed an agreement on developing the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram and a memorandum of understanding on the Mongla Port Economic Zone. They also agreed to jointly advance the Mongla Port Facilities Modernisation and Expansion Project.
In trade, the two countries signed a phytosanitary protocol allowing exports of fresh Bangladeshi jackfruit to China, as well as a joint action plan to enhance Bangladesh’s export capacity. “China stands ready to work with Bangladesh for its effective implementation,” the ambassador said.
Addressing the Teesta River project, Yao Wen said Rahman met Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying during the visit and discussed water resources planning, river management, flood prevention, disaster reduction, capacity building and personnel training.
“China’s commitment to the Teesta River project remains unchanged,” Yao said. “China will continue to provide support and assistance within its capacity for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and support experts from both countries in expediting the feasibility study and related work.”
On political ties, Yao Wen said China had reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Wen also said China had become “the first country to include support for Bangladesh’s ‘Bangladesh Before All’ policy in an official bilateral document”.
Bangladesh, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle and recognised Taiwan as “an inalienable part” of China’s territory, he said.
Yao Wen said the two countries had also agreed to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums, uphold the UN-centred international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and promote an “equal and orderly multipolar world” and “a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation”.
He said China welcomed Bangladesh’s participation in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, supported its participation in BRICS, and backed its application to become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The Chinese ambassador described Rahman’s visit as “a milestone in the history of China-Bangladesh relations” and said China was ready to work with Bangladesh to implement the agreements reached during the visit and translate them into “tangible results and stronger momentum for economic and social development”.