Bangladesh, China deepen ties with new diplomacy, defence dialogues
Bangladesh and China are preparing to launch a State Minister level Diplomacy and Defense Dialogue and an early Foreign Minister level Strategic Dialogue, adding new political and security channels to an expanding bilateral relationship. The August 30 meeting between Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir also followed up on projects from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s June China visit, including Teesta, Mongla Port and the China Economic and Industrial Zone.
In a Nutshell:
- Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir discussed launching the State Minister level Diplomacy and Defense Dialogue and an early Foreign Minister level Strategic Dialogue, alongside cooperation on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration project, the China Bangladesh Myanmar Economic Corridor and the Rohingya issue.
- Yao briefed Kobir on follow up to Tarique’s June China visit, including the groundbreaking of the China Economic and Industrial Zone, the Mongla Port modernisation contract and possible cooperation on a Mongla EPZ, with the CEIZ expected to attract about $500 million from around 30 Chinese companies and create an estimated 100,000 local jobs.
- Bangladesh also discussed starting exports of jackfruit and guava to China, while Yao briefed Kobir on planned visits by senior officials from CIDCA, the Communist Party’s International Department and Yunnan Province. Kobir was invited to visit China in October.
Context
China’s role in Bangladesh has been expanding beyond the large infrastructure projects it has traditionally been associated with. On August 27, Yao and LGRD Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan discussed Chinese cooperation on Dhaka’s water supply, sewage disposal, waste management, renewable energy and urban development, including financing to expand the sewer network around the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant. China has also agreed to a Tk 10,000 crore housing project for Korail, Sat Tala and Bhashantek, while Chinese company CMEC is developing the Aminbazar waste to energy project, with power expected to enter the national grid in 2028. The tide has now changed towards China becoming a key partner in areas where India was once prioritised for involvement in major strategic projects during the Awami League regime. In 2024, Bangladesh discussed the Teesta management project with India, while Indian backed infrastructure around Mongla also expanded.
Why it matters
Today’s proposed dialogues give the Bangladesh-China relationship a more formal political and security dimension. China is now being engaged across Bangladesh’s development agenda, from ports and manufacturing to sewage, waste, energy and river management, while the CEIZ alone is projected to bring about $500 million in Chinese investment and 100,000 local jobs. The shift is also significant because it places Chinese involvement in projects that had previously been discussed in the context of Bangladesh’s relationship with India.
What we think
The BNP government’s Look East approach is becoming visible across both China and Malaysia, with PM Tarique Rahman’s June visits followed by accelerating progress in both relationships. Malaysia has now agreed to take 200,000 Bangladeshi workers from September, while China is expanding cooperation across ports, energy, manufacturing and urban infrastructure. Taken together, these developments show Dhaka trying to build stronger economic ties across East and Southeast Asia, with China and Malaysia becoming important partners instead of the traditional regional relationships that long defined Bangladesh foreign policy and investment.