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Published : 27 Jun 2026, 01:12 AM
A Strategic Reset: Beyond the Billions
Paradigm shift: The landmark Beijing trip signals a major transition from basic investment pledges to deep, long-term strategic ties
Regional transit: A revived tripartite economic corridor aims to link Bangladesh to Chinese markets via road and rail through Myanmar
Defence breakthrough: An unprecedented “Two Plus Two” dialogue mechanism elevates Bangladesh's strategic value and defense cooperation
Teesta recalibration: Renewed Chinese backing for the crucial Teesta restoration scheme signals Beijing as the project's principal partner
Implementation test: Analysts warn that success now hinges entirely on Bangladesh’s capacity to turn these diplomatic wins into reality
The red carpets, ceremonial handshakes and carefully choreographed diplomacy in Beijing have been accompanied by something less visible but potentially more consequential: a shift in how Bangladesh and China envision their relationship.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first official visit to China concluded not with eye-catching billion-dollar investment announcements, but with a broader commitment to deepen strategic cooperation, revive long-discussed connectivity projects and expand collaboration into areas that could reshape Bangladesh's economic and geopolitical landscape.
From proposals for a Bangladesh-Myanmar-China economic corridor to a new foreign and defence dialogue mechanism, and renewed Chinese backing for the Teesta master plan, the visit has prompted analysts to ask not how much Bangladesh secured, but whether the country has entered a new phase in its relationship with Beijing.
Diplomats and foreign policy experts largely believe the answer is yes.
Prof Lailufar Yasmin of Dhaka University's Department of International Relations described the visit as one of Bangladesh's most successful diplomatic engagements in recent years.
"I would say, this is one of the most successful trips by any head of the state in recent times."
She contrasted the visit with previous engagements under former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Earlier we received many things from China, but the last visit was quite disappointing because China did not fulfil what Bangladesh needed, as it did not align with China's own strategic interests.
"What we have now seen is that China has adopted a different approach. It is no longer only maintaining relations with Bangladesh's government, but also with its people and different political parties.
“China is no longer focused on a single political party as it once was. That is why I would say this visit has been very successful."
The visit marked Tarique’s first overseas tour after assuming office following the BNP's landslide victory in the February election.
Beginning in Malaysia on Jun 21, he held bilateral talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim before travelling the same day to Dalian in northeastern China to attend the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions.
His three-day state visit formally began after arriving in Beijing on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Tarique and Chinese Premier Li Qiang led bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides signed 13 memoranda of understanding covering areas including investment and media cooperation.
Premier Li also hosted an official banquet in honour of the Bangladeshi prime minister.
Earlier that day, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China signed a separate memorandum aimed at expanding communication and cooperation between the two political parties. Altogether, Dhaka and Beijing signed 17 agreements and memoranda during the visit.
The diplomatic highlight came on Friday morning when Tarique met Chinese President Xi Jinping for nearly an hour before the two leaders held a separate one-to-one meeting.
The joint statement issued after the visit reflected ambitions extending well beyond traditional economic cooperation.
The two countries pledged to elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and work towards building what they described as a "China-Bangladesh community with a shared future for the new era" for the benefit of both peoples.
The declaration outlined broader cooperation in trade, investment, industry, education, healthcare, culture and defence.
It reaffirmed support for China's Belt and Road Initiative, called for stronger connectivity between the two countries and pledged Chinese assistance in encouraging Myanmar's participation in efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
It also confirmed China's support for Bangladesh's long-discussed Teesta Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and proposed launching a new “Two Plus Two” dialogue between the two countries' foreign and defence ministries.
At the end of the visit, Tarique thanked the Chinese government and people for their warm hospitality and invited China's top leadership to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
Former Bangladesh ambassador to China Munshi Faiz Ahmad viewed the visit positively.
"We believe the prime minister's first visits to Malaysia and China have gone well. The timing is very good. Bangladesh already enjoys good relations with China and there is cooperation in many areas.
"As a result of this visit, those areas of cooperation will gain new dimensions and opportunities for collaboration in new sectors will increase."
He said Bangladesh should now gradually expand high-level exchanges with other important international partners.
A Corridor Revived
Among the most closely watched outcomes of the visit was China's renewed proposal to establish an economic corridor linking Bangladesh, Myanmar and China.
Prime Minister's Office (PMO) spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the proposal featured prominently during the leaders' discussions on regional connectivity.
He said the proposed corridor would seek to expand Bangladesh's economy, increase trade and strengthen multimodal transportation by connecting Bangladesh with China through Myanmar.
The concept is not entirely new.
It traces its roots to the earlier Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, a Belt and Road Initiative proposal that later stalled because of India's geopolitical reservations.
Beijing subsequently shifted its focus towards extending the existing China-Myanmar Economic Corridor directly to Bangladesh.
The proposed route would begin in Kunming in China's Yunnan province, pass through Mandalay and Yangon before reaching Kyaukphyu Deep-Sea Port in Myanmar's Rakhine State. It would then be linked by road and rail to Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.
Supporters believe the project could attract significant Chinese investment into Bangladesh's transport infrastructure, ports and special economic zones while improving access to Chinese and Southeast Asian markets.
Lower transport costs, faster logistics and new employment opportunities could substantially enhance Bangladesh's competitiveness.
Yet the proposal is also closely tied to the future of Myanmar's conflict-ridden Rakhine State.
China argues that economic development there could help reduce instability.
Prof Lailufar said discussions about such connectivity had long remained within academic circles.
"We have discussed this many times academically. Seeing it formally raised at the highest political level is a major development."
She also believes the proposal could complement efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis by encouraging greater engagement between Bangladesh, Myanmar and China.
Strategic Ties Move into Focus
Beyond economics, one of the visit's most significant outcomes was the decision to explore a formal “Two Plus Two” dialogue involving the foreign and defence ministers of both countries.
Bangladesh has long relied on China as its largest supplier of military equipment, and the two countries already maintain extensive defence cooperation. The proposed framework would institutionalise regular strategic consultations, placing Bangladesh alongside countries such as Indonesia and Cambodia, which already have similar arrangements with Beijing.
Prime Minister's Advisor Mahdi Amin described the development as unprecedented.
"For the first time, Bangladesh and China have reached an understanding on a ‘Two Plus Two’ mechanism covering foreign affairs and defence. Representatives from the foreign and defence ministries of both countries will begin regular dialogue, while the details of the instrument are being worked out.
"China has said it respects Bangladesh's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and supports a foreign policy that reflects the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
“Bangladesh wants to remain an independent and sovereign nation, and China wants the same for itself. That is a global value that we want to uphold."
For Prof Lailufar, the initiative carries significance well beyond defence cooperation.
"The ‘Two Plus Two’ formula is generally applied when a country is recognised as having strategic importance."
She argued that such arrangements emerge only when both countries believe cooperation will produce mutual gains.
"When a country's strategic importance is recognised and both sides believe cooperation will create a win-win situation, such mechanisms are established."
Bangladesh's location, she said, has become increasingly valuable amid shifting regional dynamics.
Despite repeated claims by some commentators that Bangladesh lacks strategic significance, she argued the country occupies a critical position on the Bay of Bengal and sits at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia.
"Bangladesh has an organic and natural strategic significance. Other countries continue to recognise it, even if we ourselves sometimes fail to appreciate it."
She noted that Bangladesh's inclusion in Japan's Overseas Security Cooperation initiative also reflects growing international recognition of its strategic value.
Teesta Returns to the Table
Another major outcome was China's renewed commitment to support Bangladesh's long-delayed Teesta Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project.
Although no financing agreement was signed during the visit, the joint statement reaffirmed China's willingness to assist “within its capacity” and accelerate feasibility studies through cooperation between experts from both countries.
The declaration also pledged stronger collaboration in integrated water resource management, river planning, flood control, disaster risk reduction, dredging and related technologies.
For Bangladesh, the Teesta project has become as much a geopolitical issue as a development initiative.
A long-awaited water-sharing agreement with India has remained stalled since 2011 after opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee prevented its signing, despite agreement at the ministerial level.
Subsequent Indian governments signalled interest in reviving the deal, but no breakthrough followed.
Against that backdrop, Bangladesh pursued the Teesta restoration project separately, seeking foreign financing.
China first expressed interest after Hasina's visit to Beijing in 2019, with reports indicating that Chinese firms proposed a project worth around $1 billion. India later sought to become involved, announcing in 2024 that it, too, wished to support the scheme.
Those discussions were overtaken by Bangladesh's political transition following the student-led uprising that toppled Hasina's government in August 2024.
The interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus revived the project with Chinese financing as the preferred option, targeting completion of its first phase by 2029.
The initial five-year phase is estimated to cost around $750 million, of which Bangladesh hopes to secure about $550 million in loans from China, with the remainder financed domestically.
Former ambassador Faiz said the latest visit did not fundamentally alter the project but reinforced expectations that China would ultimately remain its principal partner.
"There is nothing entirely new here. But if the Teesta project goes ahead, it is natural that we will work with China. They have the experience, they have the expertise and our government wants to proceed in that direction. Although no agreement was signed this time, that much has become clear."
Asked about India's concerns regarding Chinese involvement in the Teesta project, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing remained ready to expand development cooperation with Bangladesh in areas ranging from trade and water management to livelihoods.
"The Bangladesh government attaches great importance to the Teesta Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, which concerns people's livelihoods. China stands ready to explore ways to provide cooperation.
"I want to stress that China-Bangladesh cooperation is not directed at any third party and should remain free from interference by any third party."
Beyond the Numbers
Unlike many previous high-profile visits, Tarique’s trip produced no headline-grabbing announcements of multi-billion-dollar loans or investment packages.
Yet many analysts argue that judging the visit solely through financial commitments misses its broader significance.
Instead, they see a recalibration of Bangladesh-China relations -- one centred on strategic dialogue, regional connectivity, political engagement and long-term institutional cooperation.
The proposed Bangladesh-Myanmar-China corridor could reshape regional trade if political conditions in Myanmar improve. The “Two Plus Two” mechanism could deepen strategic trust.
Chinese backing for the Teesta project keeps alive one of Bangladesh's most ambitious river management plans.
Former ambassador Faiz, however, cautioned that Bangladesh's greatest challenge has rarely been securing commitments.
Too often, he said, agreements reached with development partners fail to translate into lasting outcomes because projects are not managed effectively after completion.
"It is unfortunate that we have seen this before. Many commitments are made and many decisions are taken, but ultimately little is implemented. Even when projects are completed, we often fail to utilise them properly.
"Infrastructure built with Chinese or other foreign assistance must be maintained and used effectively. We need to build that capacity ourselves, although China can also help us in that."
As Bangladesh seeks to balance relationships with competing global powers while pursuing its own economic ambitions, the visit to Beijing may ultimately be remembered less for the agreements signed than for the direction it set.
Rather than unveiling dramatic new investments, Dhaka and Beijing signalled something potentially more enduring: an intention to build a broader strategic partnership spanning diplomacy, connectivity, water management, defence and regional stability.
Whether that vision translates into tangible results will depend not only on China's willingness to deliver, but also on Bangladesh's ability to convert diplomatic momentum into lasting national gains.
