China has reiterated its commitment to advancing the proposed Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCMEC), describing it as a regional connectivity initiative aimed at promoting economic cooperation and saying it remains open to participation from other countries, including India.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said Beijing views the proposed corridor as a strategic opportunity for regional development.
"This is purely a connectivity project. Our entire purpose is regional economic cooperation," the ambassador told reporters.
Responding to a question about whether countries such as India could join the initiative, Yao said the project is open to other countries.
He said China is determined to build the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor for broader regional cooperation.
The ambassador described the proposed corridor as a new strategic opportunity, recalling that discussions on a Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor had begun around 15 years ago but failed to make progress because India did not show interest.
He said China remains open to India and any other countries joining the initiative, but those countries would need to make their own decisions.
Yao also said the proposed corridor could eventually help facilitate the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, although he acknowledged that China would need to work closely with the Myanmar authorities, given the country's security situation.
The briefing followed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's official visit to China from June 22 to 26, during which Bangladesh and China agreed to elevate bilateral relations to the highest level by establishing a "Bangladesh-China Community with a Shared Future."
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman had earlier said the relationship had been upgraded from a "Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership" to a "Bangladesh-China Community with a Shared Future," describing it as the highest level of China's bilateral engagement.
During the visit, the two countries signed 17 bilateral instruments, including memoranda of understanding (MoUs), agreements, a joint action plan, and an agricultural trade protocol, covering a wide range of sectors.
Among the agreements signed was an MoU on promoting the implementation of China's Global Development Initiative (GDI).
Addressing the briefing, Ambassador Yao said Bangladesh had officially become part of the GDI after signing the MoU.
"After signing the MoU on the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Bangladesh has become a member of the GDI family," he said.
China and Bangladesh had discussed the initiative for several years before the agreement was signed during the prime minister's visit, he added.
According to the ambassador, around 190 countries have joined the initiative, and Bangladesh is now part of that "big family."
He said both countries stand to benefit significantly from the GDI.
Describing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit as a "complete success," Yao said it had injected fresh momentum into bilateral relations.
"It's a complete success. It's a milestone in Bangladesh-China relations, which have reached a new strategic height," he said.
The ambassador said the visit had strengthened mutual trust between the two countries and produced several important outcomes, including the launch of a strategic dialogue at the foreign minister level and discussions on exploring a "2+2" dialogue mechanism involving diplomacy and defence.
The proposed "2+2" format, typically involving the foreign and defence ministers of both countries, is being explored by Dhaka and Beijing, although the foreign minister has said no final decision has yet been taken.
"We have not taken any decision yet (regarding "2+2" dialogue mechanism). It's still at the exploration stage...we will explore it," Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman told reporters after the visit.
Asked about defence cooperation, Yao said Bangladesh-China cooperation is comprehensive and defence cooperation forms part of that broader partnership, but declined to comment on any specific defence procurement.
The ambassador also highlighted progress on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), saying it is intended to improve the livelihoods of nearly 10 million people in northern Bangladesh.
"Teesta is a Bangladesh project. It's your project," Yao said, adding: "This is cooperation between Bangladesh and China, not anybody else."
During the visit, China pledged support for a joint feasibility study on the Teesta project by experts from both countries.
Bangladesh and China also agreed to deepen cooperation in integrated water resources management, water resources planning, hydrological forecasting, flood prevention, river dredging and related technology sharing.
The two sides further agreed to expedite the implementation of the Mongla Port Modernisation and Expansion Project and the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone Development Project in Chattogram.
They also agreed to cooperate on both large and small public welfare projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while discussing proposals to strengthen regional connectivity through multimodal transport links from Kunming to Bangladeshi ports, alongside China's proposal for the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
The bilateral visit also resulted in agreements covering development cooperation, green investment, vocational education, Chinese language education, media cooperation, export promotion, industrial development, and agricultural trade, including a protocol enabling the export of fresh Bangladeshi jackfruit to China.
