Bangladesh and China Elevate Strategic Partnership with New Agreements

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in China on Wednesday. The two nations signed 21 agreements and announced seven new projects to enhance their strategic cooperative ties. China expressed its willingness to use the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year to deepen the high-quality joint construction of the 'Belt and Road' projects, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.

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During the meetings, both countries agreed to elevate their strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, reported Bangladesh's state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). Among the new projects announced were the 'Conclusion of Joint Feasibility Study on China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement' and 'Commencement of Negotiation on the Optimisation of China-Bangladesh Bilateral Investment Treaty'.

Strategic Partnership and Financial Assistance

China will support Bangladesh economically through grants, interest-free loans, concessional loans, and commercial loans, as stated by President Xi during his meeting with Hasina. Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud briefed the media about the outcome of the meeting, noting that a technical committee from both countries will decide how these financial aids will be provided to support Bangladesh's development. "The technical committee from China will soon visit Bangladesh," he said.

Xinhua reported that China supports Bangladesh in maintaining an independent foreign policy, choosing a development path suitable for its national conditions, safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and opposing any external interference. The bilateral talks mainly featured discussions on the Rohingya issue, business, trade and commerce, investments, and bilateral relations alongside various regional and international matters.

Agreements and Cooperation

The agreements were signed in the presence of Hasina and Li after delegation-level talks between the two countries. The instruments on cooperation include economic and banking sector collaboration, trade and investment, digital economy development, infrastructure projects, disaster management assistance, construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China friendship bridges, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh, and people-to-people connectivity.

Among the signed instruments are the 'MoU on Strengthening Investment Cooperation in the Digital Economy'; 'MoU on Banking and Insurance Regulatory between China National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) and Bangladesh Bank'; 'A Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements Export of Fresh Mangoes from Bangladesh to China'; 'MoU on Strengthening Infrastructure Cooperation'; 'MoU on Cooperation on Green and Low-Carbon Development'; and 'Renewing the MoU on Provision of Hydrological Information of the Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra River in Flood Season by China to Bangladesh,' according to BSS.

Rohingya Issue

The Chinese President raised the Rohingya issue before Prime Minister Hasina did. "Xi Jinping promised to play an important role in resolving the Rohingya problem by holding talks with the Myanmar government and Arakan army," Mahmud said. Additionally, both sides should hold the 'China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchange' next year to promote exchanges in culture, tourism, media, sports, and other fields between the two countries.

Prime Minister Hasina concluded her three-day bilateral visit to China and returned to Dhaka. The visit marked significant progress in strengthening bilateral ties through various agreements and cooperative initiatives.