Bangladesh and China have agreed to step up experience sharing on development planning and economic development policies, and “further deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation under the principle of planning together, building together and benefiting together.”
The two sides will accelerate existing cooperation projects, continue to expand areas of cooperation and work toward more fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation.
The Chinese side supported the Bangladesh side’s plan to implement the Southern Integrated Development Initiatives of Bangladesh, among others, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to help this region achieve balanced and sustainable development, according to a 27-point joint statement issued after the completion of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to Beijing.
The prime minister returned home in the early hours of Thursday.
PM Hasina returns home from ChinaThe Chinese side commended Bangladesh for being the first country in South Asia to join and take part in the BRI.
The Bangladesh side expressed “appreciation and thanks” for China’s support for Bangladesh’s economic and social development, applauding the important role played by the BRI in promoting the socioeconomic development of the people of Bangladesh.
The joint statement outlined the future collaboration between the countries as the leaders agreed “to stay committed to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, carry forward the long-standing friendship, foster greater synergy between development strategies of the two countries, advance the Belt and Road cooperation, and elevate the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.”
They agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level interactions, enhance strategic communication and deepen strategic mutual trust through visits, exchange of letters, and meetings on multilateral occasions.
“The two sides agreed that China and Bangladesh have been good neighbours and good friends since ancient times, sharing a millennium-old history of friendly exchanges.
“The Chinese side firmly supports Bangladesh in maintaining peace and stability, realizing development goals as envisioned under Vision 2041, non-interference in its internal affairs, and independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions.”
The two sides stressed that the authority of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is beyond question and brooks no challenge.
“Bangladesh reiterated its firm commitment to the one-China principle and its position that the government of the People’s Republic of China represents the whole of China, and Taiwan is part of China, and Bangladesh supports China on issues pertaining to China's core interests and China's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The two sides agreed to push forward projects such as Expansion of Teletalk’s 4G Mobile Broadband Network up to Union Level, Procurement of New Vessels, Water Supply, Sanitation, Drainage, Solid Waste and Faecal Sludge Management for Small Size Pourashavas (Municipalities) in Bangladesh, and Sewage Collection System under Dasherkandi STP Catchment of Dhaka City.
The Chinese side will encourage Chinese enterprises to take an active part in the construction of subways, metro rail and roads, oil and gas exploration, hospitals, water resources, and sewage management projects in Bangladesh in a proper way, according to the joint statement.
China, Bangladesh elevate ties: What does it mean?The two sides agreed to advance projects such as the Burn Unit in Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the No 6 Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Renovation, the No 9 Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge and the National Emergency Operation Center in Bangladesh.
The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and finance, conclude the joint feasibility study on a China-Bangladesh free trade agreement, and launch formal negotiations as soon as possible.
The Chinese side expressed its support to continue the zero-tariff treatment on 98% of taxable items to Bangladesh for a transitional period beyond 2026 when Bangladesh graduates from LDC status.
The two sides agreed to launch negotiations on upgrading the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement as soon as possible.
The Bangladesh side welcomed more investment from Chinese enterprises in Bangladesh in such areas as economic and industrial parks, oil and gas exploration, new energy, water resources and sewage management, garment and other manufacturing sectors, reiterating Bangladesh’s commitments to protecting the security and legitimate rights and interests of all foreign investments including the Chinese projects and personnel in Bangladesh.
The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in infrastructure and construction projects, including through the PPP model.
They sides agreed to enhance cooperation in financial regulation and encouraged increased use of local currency settlement in bilateral trade. Bangladesh welcomed Chinese banks to establish branches in Bangladesh, and vice versa.
The Chinese side expressed its readiness to carry out cooperation on the “international port for the information industry and digital trade” to promote digitization of bilateral trade. The Bangladesh side applauded and expressed thanks for these initiatives.
The two sides will leverage the BRI International Green Development Coalition and other platforms to deepen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of pollution prevention and control, and ecological protection, in order to promote green and low-carbon development together.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in meteorological disaster prevention and reduction to jointly implement the UN “Early Warnings for All” initiative.
“The two sides support the Center for China Studies in fully playing its role, and support exchanges and dialogue between think tanks and scholars of the two sides.”
The two sides agreed to step up maritime and blue economy cooperation in areas of marine observation, disaster prevention and mitigation, the Ocean to Climate Seamless Forecasting System (OSF), and the Marine Hazards Early Warning and Mitigation System, with a view to enhancing marine sustainability and resilience of Bangladesh.
Xi-Hasina meeting: China to cooperate with Bangladesh in grants and loansThey discussed various aspects of the Global Development Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping.
The Chinese side is ready to share experience on GDI issues with the Bangladesh side.
Beijing also presented the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) to Dhaka to ensure peace, development and shared prosperity for all.
On defence cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen more exchanges at all levels and between various armed forces and departments, and deepen practical cooperation in defence.
Both sides agreed to maintain their mutual understanding and engagement on UN peacekeeping and peace-building issues.
Rohingya crisis
“The two sides share the view that early repatriation is the only way to resolve the issue concerning the displaced people from Rakhine State of Myanmar, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.”
They called on all parties in Myanmar to bridge their differences through dialogue and consultation and underscored the cessation of hostilities in Rakhine State as soon as possible.
“The Bangladesh side expressed its appreciation to and requested China to continue playing a constructive role to facilitate dialogue for the peaceful settlement of the issue concerning the displaced people from Rakhine State.”
How China can help with repatriation“The Chinese side commended efforts made over the years by Bangladesh to provide humanitarian assistance for the displaced people, and expressed support for Bangladesh and Myanmar to find a mutually acceptable solution through friendly consultations and following the arrangements on repatriation existing between the countries.
“China will continue to provide support for this purpose to the best of its abilities, including providing a platform for dialogue to help achieve early repatriation of the displaced people,” reads the statement.
The two sides reiterated that the fundamental way out of the ongoing grave crisis in Gaza lies in the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.
