[🇧🇩] China is a Time Tested Friend and a Strategic Partner of Bangladesh

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China to expand BR projects in Bangladesh

China, currently engaged in an infrastructure development project, on Wednesday, signalled its desire to expand collaboration into the digital, marine and green economies and to widen medical visas and scholarship quotas for Bangladeshi citizens. “China will further deepen comprehensive refo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

China to expand BR projects in Bangladesh
Stands ready to participate in Teesta project, says envoy
FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Apr 23, 2025 20:58
Updated :
Apr 23, 2025 21:21

China, currently engaged in an infrastructure development project, on Wednesday, signalled its desire to expand collaboration into the digital, marine and green economies and to widen medical visas and scholarship quotas for Bangladeshi citizens.

“China will further deepen comprehensive reforms and expand high-level opening-up, bringing new opportunities for development to Bangladesh and countries around the world,” the Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka, Yao Wen, said while addressing the opening ceremony of the training programmes for Bangladeshi officials organised by the China Aid in the city.

He said China stands ready to participate in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, and China will continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and explore further cooperation in the fields of digital economy, green economy, marine economy, infrastructure and water conservancy.

Ms. Mirana Mahrukh, Additional Secretary, Wing Chief of ERD, Ministry of Finance, and Mr. Mohammed Nore-Alam, Director General, East Asia and Pacific Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also spoke on the event.

As previously noted, this year, China will organise 23 bilateral seminars and 30 multilateral seminars, training over 500 Bangladeshi participants.

These seminars will cover areas such as smart governance and information technology, new energy, finance, transportation, agriculture, tourism, and education.

Mr Wen said, Economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges serve as cornerstones of our comprehensive cooperation. ”The meeting between Bangladesh Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping held in Beijing last month marked a new phase of development in China-Bangladesh relations and elevated the ‘Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ between the two countries to an unprecedented height,” he noted.

“This visit injected new momentum into the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries. It has become a broad consensus in Bangladeshi society that China is the most trustworthy and reliable development partner,” he said.

The Chinese Ambassador said the recent tariff imposed by the Trump administration ‘severely infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely violates WTO rules, severely undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and severely disrupts the global economic order’.

“China stands ready to work with Bangladesh and all nations to advance economic globalisation towards greater openness and inclusiveness with balanced benefits so as to build a fair world of common development,” he added.​

 

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China wants strong, stable, democratic Bangladesh: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said China wants to see a strong, stable and democratic Bangladesh. “They always want to see stability in Bangladesh. They want to see a strong and prosperous Bangladesh and democratic environment in the country,&r

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China wants strong, stable, democratic Bangladesh: Fakhrul
Published :
Apr 26, 2025 23:04
Updated :
Apr 26, 2025 23:34

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said China wants to see a strong, stable and democratic Bangladesh.

“They always want to see stability in Bangladesh. They want to see a strong and prosperous Bangladesh and democratic environment in the country,” he said after a meeting with a visiting delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC), UNB reports.

The two-hour meeting, which began around 6:30 pm, was held at the capital’s Westin Hotel.

Fakhrul said it was basically a meeting between the two parties—BNP and CPC—as they have a longstanding relationship.

He mentioned that the relationship between the two parties had been disrupted over the last 15 years due to the Awami League’s rule.

“We are now reviving that relationship. So, our ties with the Communist Party of China are now deepening gradually. It will continue to grow in the future,” the BNP leader said.

In response to a question, Fakhrul said elections are Bangladesh’s internal matter and that China usually does not interfere in any country’s internal affairs.

He, however, said they briefed the Chinese delegation about the country’s election and political situation.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said they had very good discussions with the BNP delegation.

“We discussed cooperation between our two parties and also discussed that the Communist Party of China and BNP will work together to enhance cooperation between the two countries,” he said.

Responding to a question, the Chinese envoy said, “We were briefed by the BNP secretary general about BNP’s viewpoint for the next election.”

He also reiterated that elections are Bangladesh’s internal matter and that the people of Bangladesh will make the decision on it.

A seven-member BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attended the meeting.

The other members included Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah, Legal Affairs Secretary Kaiser Kamal, Chairperson’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee member Humayun Kabir, Media Cell member Mahmuda Habiba, and BNP Chairperson’s Private Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.

The CPC delegation was headed by Peng Xiubin, Director General of the Southeast and South Asian Affairs Bureau under the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. Other members included Deputy Director Chen Xuanbo, Third Secretary Chen Yongpei, and Attaché Zhang Guyu.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen also joined the meeting, accompanied by Political Section Director Zhang Jing and Political Section Attaché Liu Hongru.​

 

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Big Chinese business delegation to visit Bangladesh soon: Foresign secretary

A big business delegation from China will be visiting Bangladesh soon that manifests strong economic ties between the two countries, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin has said. The 100-member Chinese business delegation will be led by the commerce minister of China, UNB reports. Expressing

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Big Chinese business delegation to visit Bangladesh soon: Foresign secretary
Published :
Apr 29, 2025 21:03
Updated :
Apr 29, 2025 21:03

A big business delegation from China will be visiting Bangladesh soon that manifests strong economic ties between the two countries, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin has said.

The 100-member Chinese business delegation will be led by the commerce minister of China, UNB reports.

Expressing satisfaction at the ease of visa, Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin underlined that the affordable airfare on Dhaka-Kunming flights would further encourage Bangladeshi patients to receive treatment in China.

Bangladesh thanked the government of China for offering special medical treatment facilities for Bangladeshi patients in Kunming.

Bangladesh also requested the Chinese government to increase scholarships for Bangladeshi students at Chinese universities.

The issues were discussed when Director General of the Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs, International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Peng Xiubin, met the Foreign Secretary at his office this week.

The Rohingya issue was also discussed at the meeting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The foreign secretary reiterated Bangladesh’s firm support for the one-China principle and expressed satisfaction with the successful visits of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain to China and their having fruitful interactions with their counterparts, which have enhanced cooperation in a number of areas, including trade, investment, health and educational sectors.

The Director General appreciated the warm and friendly attitude of the people of Bangladesh towards China and said that China and the Communist Party of China will be with the people of Bangladesh to fulfil their dreams and expectations in pursuit of economic development and growth.

Referring to the recent successful visit of the Chief Adviser to China and having fruitful discussions with President Xi Jinping, the Director General said that Bangladesh is an important partner and trusted friend.

He said that China will work to strengthen bilateral trade, continue to support the infrastructural development and enhance cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Peng Xiubin reiterated China’s strong support for Bangladesh as a close-door neighbour and development partner as part of its neighbourhood diplomacy.

He added that the contact between the political parties of the two countries is an important pillar of Bangladesh-China relationship, and the CPC looks forward to expanding these exchanges to think tanks and academia.

The foreign secretary thanked the Chinese government for its continued support in this regard and thanked the director general of IDCPC for visiting Bangladesh.​

 

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China launches ‘Green Channel’ for Bangladeshis’ medical visas

The Embassy of China in Dhaka has introduced special facilitation measures for medical treatment visas for Bangladeshi nationals to China. The embassy has taken the initiative to implement the important consensus on public health cooperation reached by the leaders of China and Bangladesh during th

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China launches ‘Green Channel’ for Bangladeshis’ medical visas
BSS
Published :
May 04, 2025 16:46
Updated :
May 04, 2025 16:46

The Embassy of China in Dhaka has introduced special facilitation measures for medical treatment visas for Bangladeshi nationals to China.

The embassy has taken the initiative to implement the important consensus on public health cooperation reached by the leaders of China and Bangladesh during the visit of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in March, Chinese embassy said on Sunday.

As per the efforts the Chinese embassy simplified Documentation Requirement, Dedicated "Green Channel" Services and Streamlined Interview Process.

The local Bangladeshi travel agencies with valid business licenses may issue guarantee letters for travelers seeking medical treatment in China regarding bank deposit certificates and proof of kinship, exempting them from obtaining the certificates authenticated by the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Embassy and the Visa Application Service Center have established dedicated hotlines (Embassy: 02222260103, 01708464809; Visa Center: 02226603261) and a WhatsApp service group (01885041364) for medical visa inquiries.

Online applications will be prioritized and reviewed immediately upon submission.

A dedicated counter for medical visas has been set up at the Visa Center, allowing applicants to submit materials on arrival without waiting.

A "Green Channel" is available for urgent medical cases, with visas issued on the same day.

Medical visa applicants with scheduled appointments will be granted queue-free priority interviews.

Where in-person attendance is medically inadvisable, a travel agency's guarantee letter may authorize remote interview proceedings.

Chinese diagnostic and treatment medical institutions possess extensive experience for international patients, said the embassy.

More Bangladeshi citizens are welcome to visit China for health check-ups, rehabilitation and medical care, it added.​

 

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Bangladesh, China set to elevate trade ties to new level: ambassador Yao

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday said the visit of the largest-ever business delegation in Bangladesh from China led by Chinese minister of commerce Wang Wentao later this month would send a ‘strong signal’ of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, and will elevate the...

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh, China set to elevate trade ties to new level: ambassador Yao
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 08 May, 2025, 13:28

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen.

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday said the visit of the largest-ever business delegation in Bangladesh from China led by Chinese minister of commerce Wang Wentao later this month would send a ‘strong signal’ of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, and will elevate the Bangladesh-China economic and trade relations to a new level.

‘We are confident that this visit will send a strong signal of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit, and will elevate China-Bangladesh economic and trade relations to a new level,’ he said at a programme here, adding that Chinese minister of commerce will lead more than 100 Chinese investors to visit Bangladesh at the end of this month.

During the visit, the two sides will co-host a trade and investment exchange event, where hundreds of Chinese and Bangladeshi enterprises will engage and explore more cooperation opportunities.

Ambassador Yao said the 15th meeting of the Bangladesh-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission will be held to agree on concrete measures to further our economic and trade cooperation.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the country lecture on ‘Five Decades of Bangladesh-China Relations: Towards a New Height’ at the BIISS auditorium.

BIISS director general Major General Iftekhar Anis delivered welcome remarks while its chairman AFM Gousal Azam Sarker chaired the session. Executive director of the Centre for Alternatives, Bangladesh Imtiaz Ahmed made a presentation.​

 

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Construction of Chinese economic zone gains momentum

The construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram has gained momentum nearly a decade after its initiation, as Dhaka and Beijing look to strengthen bilateral ties and punishing Trump tariffs prompt Chinese manufacturers to consider relocating factories.

www.thedailystar.net

Construction of Chinese economic zone gains momentum

The construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram has gained momentum nearly a decade after its initiation, as Dhaka and Beijing look to strengthen bilateral ties and punishing Trump tariffs prompt Chinese manufacturers to consider relocating factories.

Of the 784 acres designated for the economic zone in Anwara upazila of the port city, around 60 acres have been prepared for investors.

Utility services are also being put in place. The Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority has installed a pipeline for limited water supply, and Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited has set up a gas station nearby.

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) has also constructed the zone's administrative building and two approach roads.

Some Chinese manufacturers have already visited the site, and officials expect around 200 potential Chinese investors to tour the zone soon.

"A major foreign investment worth over $1 billion is expected from China," said Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and Beza, referring to the recent visit by Chinese investors.

Initiated in 2016 following former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's 2014 visit to China, the project's progress remained sluggish during the previous Awami League government.

However, after the political changeover in August last year, the new interim government showed renewed interest in strengthening trade ties with China — Bangladesh's largest import market.

"We are seeing growing interest from Chinese investors," said a Beza official. The official said that the expected investor visits could open up significant opportunities in apparel and auto manufacturing, electronics, and logistics.

During Sheikh Hasina's visit to China, Beza signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China's Ministry of Commerce. The Bangladesh government later allocated Tk 420 crore for the first phase, partly funded by Chinese loans.

As per the deal, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited was appointed as the developer, but progress stalled due to unresolved lease and development agreements, prompting Beza to terminate the partnership in April 2022.

In July 2022, China Road and Bridge Corporation was picked as the new developer, and Beza signed a cooperation agreement to restart the project.

Located about 270 kilometres south of Dhaka, the zone could attract $1.5 billion in investment and create more than 200,000 jobs, according to Beza.

A "special purpose company" will be formed to manage and oversee operations in the economic zone.

To improve connectivity, the Roads and Highways Department is preparing to float a tender for a connecting road linking the zone with the Korean Export Processing Zone via the Karnaphuli tunnel.

A detailed project proposal has been submitted to the Chief Adviser's Office for preliminary review and is expected to be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) later this month.

Bida Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said some Chinese investors are planning to start with a factory in Phase 1 of the economic zone.

"We're working on finalising the developer agreement. Once signed, construction will commence," he said, adding that the process may take up to two years.

He added that some investors could begin industrial construction early in the development phase. Regular dialogue with investors will continue to ensure smooth progress.

Meanwhile, another China-backed project, Chandpur Economic Zone-1, is also making headway under a government-to-government framework.

Proposed by the Power Construction Corporation of China Ltd (PowerChina), the zone will span 3,038 acres on an island in Matlab upazila.

Currently, a feasibility study is underway.

Due to the zone's isolated location on the Meghna river and limited mainland access, the focus will be on renewable energy and agro-based industries rather than conventional manufacturing, according to officials.

Once the feasibility study is complete, the proposal will be submitted to the Ecnec.​

 

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China urges Bangladesh to improve investment climate

China has sought a better investment climate in Bangladesh as its businesses are ready to set up establishments here, officials said on Tuesday. They said many Chinese businesses at a working-group meeting in Dhaka last week expressed their willingness to invest in Bangladesh and stressed the need

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

China urges Bangladesh to improve investment climate
Chinese businesses want to set up establishments here
FHM HUAMAYN KABIR
Published :
May 21, 2025 00:58
Updated :
May 21, 2025 00:58

China has sought a better investment climate in Bangladesh as its businesses are ready to set up establishments here, officials said on Tuesday.

They said many Chinese businesses at a working-group meeting in Dhaka last week expressed their willingness to invest in Bangladesh and stressed the need to improve the business climate

The 'impoverished business climate' has long been preventing them from moving ahead with their plans, they pointed out at the meeting of the joint Bangladesh-China Working Group (WG) on economic cooperation and investment.

The meeting was held after a six-year hiatus.

Representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh were present at the meeting.

Presided over by ERD Additional Secretary Mirana Mahrukh, the WG discussed details on the prospects of investment and economic cooperation between Beijing and Dhaka.

The meeting was held ahead of the Bangladesh-China Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting which is expected to be held in Dhaka on June 1.

China is the largest trading partner of Bangladesh. In the last fiscal year (FY 2023-24), Bangladesh imported goods worth US$16.637 billion, 26.40 per cent of the country's total imports, showing higher demand for Chinese products in Bangladesh.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, China, including Hong Kong, has emerged as a significant investor in Bangladesh, with FDI reaching $2.789 billion as of December 2024, making it the country's second-largest investor.

Chinese enterprises are actively involved in various sectors such as textiles, energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects like the Padma Bridge and Karnaphuli Tunnel in Chattogram.

Many Chinese companies are also looking to diversify their production bases, particularly due to rising production costs and geopolitical tensions, making Bangladesh a potential destination for their "China Plus One" strategy.

Meanwhile, a leader of the Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) said that while Bangladesh actively seeks to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly from China, a number of persistent challenges in its business climate are making Chinese companies reluctant to fully commit to the investment.

Despite Bangladesh's strategic location, competitive labour costs, and ongoing efforts to establish economic zones, concerns over bureaucratic hurdles, infrastructural deficiencies, policy inconsistencies, and a lack of transparency continue to deter substantial inflow of Chinese capital, he said, requesting anonymity.

An official, who attended the Working Group meeting at ERD last week, told the FE that the Chinese investors are contemplating to invest in Bangladesh, but the country's impoverished business climate is discouraging them.

The Chinese side urged the Bangladesh side to improve the business climate that included simplification of the licencing system, easy access to land and energy, stable government policy on investment, and repatriation of profits, said the official.

"We have apprised the Chinese side of the government's initiatives to improve the business climate," he added.

The enthusiasm of the Chinese investors is often met with significant operational difficulties on the ground.

Key concerns frequently voiced by the Chinese businesses and acknowledged by analysts include bureaucratic complexities and administrative inefficiency, lengthy approval procedures, convoluted customs processes, and a general lack of efficiency in the government agencies.

These concerns are leading to significant delays and increased costs for investors.

Obtaining necessary permits and licences can be a time-consuming and complicated ordeal, they said.

Despite progress in some areas, Bangladesh still faces an infrastructure deficit. Unstable electricity and gas supplies, port congestion, and underdeveloped transport networks contribute to higher production costs and reduced investor confidence, analysts say.

The slow pace of economic zone implementation-including the one proposed for Chinese investors in Anwara-further illustrates these difficulties, insiders said.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has taken steps to improve the situation.

The Bangladesh government has initiated the development of large-scale economic zones and is working on merging its regional investment promotion agencies to streamline the FDI process.

The interim government has also expressed a strong desire to attract more Chinese investment, especially in sectors like healthcare, solar panel manufacturing, and high-value textiles.

However, for Bangladesh to fully capitalise on China's industrial relocation and attract a higher volume of Chinese investment, fundamental reforms are crucial.

Addressing the core issues of administrative inefficiency, corruption, infrastructure gaps, and policy instability will be key to fostering a truly investment-friendly environment and building long-term trust with Chinese and other foreign investors.

Without these systemic improvements, Bangladesh risks falling behind regional competitors in the race for crucial FDI, analysts said.​

 

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Bangladesh to begin mango export to China on May 28: Agri Secretary

Bangladesh is going to export mango to China for the first time on May 28 next, Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said on Wednesday. He revealed this information at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon. Emdad Ullah said about 50 metric tonnes of mangoes

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Bangladesh to begin mango export to China on May 28: Agri Secretary
BSS
Published :
May 21, 2025 19:13
Updated :
May 21, 2025 22:12

Bangladesh is going to export mango to China for the first time on May 28 next, Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said on Wednesday.

He revealed this information at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon.

Emdad Ullah said about 50 metric tonnes of mangoes will be exported to China this year, while talks are on with Chinese provisional governments and the Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka to export more mangoes to China.

Besides, he said, the agriculture ministry has taken various initiatives to explore more international markets for Bangladeshi mangoes.

The agriculture secretary said Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at a meeting today directed them to explore new international markets for mangoes by assessing country-specific need and demand of mangoes.

He said a big initiative regarding mango is going to be taken by the agriculture ministry, which will be visible soon.

In addition, Emdad Ullah said the government has taken steps to export Bangladeshi jackfruits to China.

About 27 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes is produced in the country each year, he said, adding that mango is a seasonal fruit and activities are underway to export mangoes abroad.

He said about 31,100 metric tonnes of mangoes was exported in 2022-23, while 1,321 tonnes in 2023-24.

On the other hand, he said, mango production was 27 lakh metric tonnes in 2022-23 and 24.5 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24.

The agriculture secretary said Bangladesh produces on average 25 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes each year while it exports 1,000 to 3,000 metric tonnes.

There is a demand of Bangladeshi mangoes around the world as it is delicious to eat, he said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Additional Secretary Dr Md Mahmudur Rahman was present at the press briefing.

Earlier, in March 2025, China expressed its interest to import mango, guava and jackfruit from Bangladesh.​