What does survey say about Bangladesh’s relations with China, India?

A striking 58 percent of respondents view the relationship with India negatively, compared with just 2 percent for China

A recent survey has revealed the views of Bangladeshis on the country's relations with China and India in the aftermath of the July Uprisin

The survey, titled “National Image of China in Bangladesh”, was released on Tuesday.

It shows that over 75 percent of respondents see relations with Beijing positively. In contrast, only about 11 percent hold a positive view of ties with New Delhi.

Japan’s rating is similar to China’s, with nearly 75 percent expressing a positive opinion.

About 59 percent view relations with Pakistan favourably.

The survey also highlights that 58 percent of participants consider relations with India to be negative, in stark contrast to just 2 percent for China.

The Centre for Alternatives conducted the survey among 5,335 people nationwide in October and November.

The findings were presented in Dhaka by the centre’s Executive Director Imtiaz Ahmed in the presence of Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen.

Respondents were asked how they assess Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with key neighbours, especially after the Uprising.

The survey offered four response options for evaluating relations with seven countries and organisations: "Positive", "Mixed", "Don't Know", and "Negative".

According to the survey, 74.96 percent of respondents view Japan positively, while 58.93 percent feel the same about Pakistan, 56.22 percent about the United States, 52.22 percent about Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and 58.14 percent about the European Union, or EU.

Among negative responses, India received the highest disapproval at 58.39 percent, followed by Pakistan at 8.54 percent, the United States at 7.58 percent, Japan at 3.52 percent, ASEAN at 4.18 percent, and the EU at 3.40 percent.

One of the survey questions asked respondents: “How do you evaluate Bangladesh’s growing bilateral relations with China, especially in the post-Uprising context?”

In response, 61 percent rated the ties as “Positive”, while 4 percent viewed them as “Negative”.

In addition, 26 percent said “Neither good nor bad”, and 9 percent responded with “Don’t know”.

Following its 2022 and 2023 editions, the Centre for Alternatives conducted the 2024 survey across 32 districts through both online and offline methods.

The report compares the findings over three years, noting a steady rise in positive sentiment towards China.

On the issue of China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, 40 percent of respondents expressed concerns.

The figure was 45 percent in 2023 and 47 percent in 2022.

The survey also repeated a question from 2023: “Which country comes to mind first as a development partner?”

This year, 25 percent of respondents named China, while 22 percent mentioned Japan, 11 percent India, 15 percent the United States, 12 percent Russia, 9 percent the EU, and 6 percent South Korea.

In 2023, 26 percent of respondents identified China as a key development partner. Japan’s figure remained unchanged at 22 percent.

That year, 18 percent cited India, 13 percent the United States, 10 percent Russia, 7 percent the EU, and 4 percent South Korea.

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador Wen noted that the survey reflects both continuity and changes in China’s image, influenced by international and domestic factors.

"Among the respondents, 99 percent support or approve of the friendly relations between China and Bangladesh, highlighting a broad consensus on the matter," he said.

The envoy added that respondents demonstrated strong optimism about advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Bangladesh and China.

"It is crucial to pay close attention to Bangladeshi people's opinions and suggestions in strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.”

Highlighting educational and medical exchanges, Wen said: "It is encouraging that 75 percent of respondents are personally willing to study in China or send their children there, which is 5 percent higher than in 2022.

“In addition, around 29 percent of Bangladeshis expressed interest in seeking medical treatment in China, a 13 percent increase from 2022."

He also emphasised ongoing efforts to attract more Chinese investment in Bangladesh, citing the $230 million investment from 14 Chinese companies since the formation of the interim government.

Regarding the Rohingya issue, Wen said China is working towards a ceasefire in Myanmar to resolve the political crisis and facilitate the safe return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland.