[🇧🇩] China is a Time Tested Friend and a Strategic Partner of Bangladesh

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[🇧🇩] China is a Time Tested Friend and a Strategic Partner of Bangladesh
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Chinese solar panel giant Longi to invest in Bangladesh: envoy
BSS
Dhaka
Published: 16 Mar 2025, 20: 57

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Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on Sunday, 16 March 2025. BSS

Longi, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the world, has decided to set up an office and invest in solar panel manufacturing in Bangladesh, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said in Dhaka today, Sunday.

The ambassador said several top Chinese solar panel manufacturers visited Bangladesh in December to explore opportunities to invest in the country.

They made the visit after Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus extended an invitation to Chinese companies to relocate their manufacturing plants here as part of the Interim Government's plan to turn the country into an economic hub, Chief Adviser Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.

Ambassador Yao Wen said, of the companies that visited Bangladesh, at least two Chinese firms, including Longi, have decided to set up offices and plants in the country.

"They will invest in Bangladesh very soon," he told Chief Adviser Prof Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here.

Yao Wen said Chinese firms have been the largest investors in Bangladesh since 5 August, when the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power.

He said dozens of Chinese companies have lined up to invest in Bangladesh as a dedicated Chinese export processing zone is expected to work soon.

The envoy said the upcoming official visit of the Chief Adviser to China would be the most important one in the 50-year-long relationship between the two 'trustworthy" and close friends.

Prof Yunus welcomed more Chinese investors in Bangladesh, saying the country can be a top manufacturing hub for companies that want to export goods to Western nations.

He urged Chinese hospital chains to set up top clinics here or build joint venture healthcare facilities with their Bangladeshi counterparts.

"Bangladesh needs massive investment in healthcare. The Chinese hospital chains now have unique opportunities to construct hospitals here," he said.

The ambassador said China has dedicated four hospitals in the southern Chinese city of Kunming for Bangladeshi patients. A group of Bangladeshi people travelled to Kunming last week for treatment.

The ambassador said Peking University, one of the world's top educational institutions, would confer an honorary doctorate to Prof Yunus during the visit.

The Chief Adviser would also speak at the university.

During the visit, the first bilateral foreign tour of the Chief Adviser, he would join and speak at the Boao Forum, considered the Davos of the East, where top leaders and CEOs gather every year to discuss top global issues.

Prof Yunus would deliver a speech on 'Asia in a Changing World: Towards a Shared Future'. The Chinese executive vice premier will also join him during the session.

The Bangladesh Chief Adviser is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on 28 March. The two countries will issue a joint statement after the meeting.​
 

The dragon and the delta
A new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations

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Visual: Anwar Sohel

There are rivers, and then there are currents. The rivers of Bangladesh—Padma, Meghna, Jamuna—run deep, shaping land, destiny and commerce. But currents, the unseen forces that dictate the flow of history, are harder to chart.

The tides of geopolitics, the undercurrents of trade wars, the ripples of power shifts—all dictate the future of nations. In this interplay, Bangladesh and China are not merely drifting neighbours; they are architects of a shared destiny, bound by history, ambition and a blueprint for the future.

Recent events have added urgency to this discourse. A 21-member delegation, of which I was a part, embarked on a journey to Beijing, not as idle emissaries but as active negotiators of Bangladesh's place in the unfolding Asian century. In meetings with high-ranking officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) and the foreign ministry, we presented a vision for an elevated partnership. The response? Enthusiastic endorsement.

What followed was not mere diplomatic pleasantries but a recognition: Bangladesh is ready to be more than a recipient of Chinese investments; it is ready to be a strategic collaborator, a manufacturing force, and a regional stabiliser.

Bengal's entanglement with China predates modern geopolitics. In the fourth century, Fa-hsien chronicled the culture of the Gangetic delta, and in the seventh century, Hiuen Tsang met King Harshavardhana, bearing testimony to ancient ties of scholarship and trade. Fifteenth century navigator Ma Huan, who sailed under Admiral Zheng He, described Bengal's bustling ports, its Muslim rulers, and the mercantile energy that linked it to the Chinese court.

In matters of spirit, even the revered Shah Jalal of Sylhet found a place in Chinese records, further cementing centuries-old exchanges.

These were not just transactions; they were threads in a grander fabric, one that today unfolds in the shape of economic corridors, industrial parks, and transcontinental supply chains.

As China ascends to the heights of artificial intelligence and high-tech industries, it leaves behind a vacancy—a space for manufacturing to migrate. Vietnam has seized the opportunity. So has Indonesia. Why not Bangladesh?

DeepSeek, China's latest foray into AI, signals a shift, one where China will export not just goods but knowledge while relocating its traditional industries elsewhere. Bangladesh, with its labour force, its strategic location, and its deepening ties through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), must make the case for itself. The investments that were put on hold due to political uncertainties must be rekindled, and Bangladesh should position itself as the next re-export hub for Chinese goods, optimising trade routes, reducing costs, and sustaining China's access to global markets.

Of all the shadows looming over Bangladesh, none is darker than the crisis in Myanmar. The Rohingya crisis is not just a humanitarian catastrophe; it is a geopolitical fault line. Without stability in Myanmar, Bangladesh's security remains fragile.

China's influence in Naypyidaw is undeniable. Yet, for too long, Bangladesh has been a passive observer, waiting for Beijing to pressure the Myanmar junta into action. The delegation pressed the case: China must do more. The repatriation of the Rohingya, the stabilisation of Rakhine state, and the assurance that Myanmar does not descend into prolonged chaos are matters that Beijing cannot afford to ignore. The response? A willingness to engage, to mediate, and to ensure that the next Bangladesh government finds a stable eastern frontier.

The world is in flux. The US, China and India form a triad of competing interests in South Asia. Bangladesh's geography has placed it at the crossroads of this rivalry, but geography is not destiny—policy is. Rather than picking sides, Bangladesh can be a bridge between these global powers, leveraging its historical closeness with India, its growing ties with China, and its strategic importance to the US.

This is not about neutrality but about active diplomacy—playing the role of mediator, connector, and stabiliser in an increasingly multipolar world.

The meetings in China were not just about rhetoric. They were about plans, commitments, and structured collaboration. The 11-point charter, adopted by the delegation and welcomed by the CPC, outlines the next steps: strategic alignment for regional stability; positioning Bangladesh in global trade shifts; strengthening logistics and trade routes; advancing technological partnerships; expanding trade and cultural exchange; building a sustainable industrial base; expanding military manufacturing ties; leveraging China's diplomatic influence for Rohingya repatriation; Teesta River water management; accelerating investment in transport and communications; and developing banking and financial collaboration.

The enthusiasm from China's leadership was not just symbolic. These initiatives are actionable, transformative, and most importantly, mutually beneficial.

The rivers in Bangladesh will always flow towards the sea, but the currents of history can be steered. The Bangladesh-China relations have entered a new era, one where Bangladesh is not just a recipient of investment but a co-creator of the future. The foundation has been laid; the agreements have been acknowledged. The challenge, now, is execution. Will Bangladesh rise to claim its place as a hub of manufacturing, defence co-production, and geopolitical mediation? Or will it allow others to dictate the terms of engagement? The moment demands action, vision, and leadership.

The tide is rising. Bangladesh must set sail.

Bobby Hajjaj is faculty member at North South University (NSU).​
 

China to import mango, guava, jackfruit from Bangladesh: Press Secretary
FE Online Desk
Published :
Mar 20, 2025 19:29
Updated :
Mar 20, 2025 19:29

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China will import mango, guava and jackfruit from Bangladesh.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen recently expressed his government's desire to this end at a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, BSS reports.

CA Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam disclosed this information at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy today (Thursday).

He said the Chief Adviser had earlier requested the Chinese government to import mango, guava and jackfruit from Bangladesh.

Now the Chinese government is very interested in importing these three types of fruits, Alam said, expressing hope that this would open a new horizons for Bangladesh's exports to China.

The Press Secretary said, "We will be able to export jackfruit there on a large scale. Besides, an opportunity has also been created for large-scale mango exports as the Chinese people like Bangladeshi mangoes."

He said standards have to be maintained in the export of mangoes, so the World Food Programme (WFO) is providing USD four million and technical assistance in this regard.

Alam hoped that the trade relations between the two countries would deepen through the Chief Adviser's visit to China. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to begin his four-day visit to China on March 26.

About the decisions of the meeting of the Council of Advisers held today, the Press Secretary said it was informed in the meeting that 172,000 government posts are remained vacant so far.

The Chief Adviser has ordered to take necessary measures to fill these vacant posts, he said.

Replying to a question, Alam said, "We have very good relations with India. Despite the visa complications, our trade with India has increased in the last seven months. We want very good relations with India, but it must be based on fairness, dignity and equality."

Responding to another query, he said, "Four hospitals in Kunming have been dedicated for Bangladesh and Bangladeshi patients, who are intending to receive treatment there.

"This is good news. However, our chief adviser wants Chinese hospital chains come to Bangladesh. Then we will get high-quality Chinese treatment at our doorsteps," he added.

The press secretary said Prof Yunus is inviting big Chinese healthcare companies to invest in Bangladesh and the main focus of his visit this time will be to bring Chinese investment in Bangladesh's health sector.

CA Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar and Apurba Jahangir were also present at the briefing.​
 

Yunus' China visit to be 'very productive': envoy

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File photo of Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen. File photo

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today today said Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus' visit to China would be "very successful, productive and a milestone visit" with some announcements.

"We are working very closely with Bangladesh... We are still having discussions," he said when a journalist approached him after his meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the foreign ministry.

Responding to a question, Yao said this is something between Bangladesh and China as the two countries are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations.

Regarding the announcement, he said, "Wait and see. We are still working on it."

Talking to reporters briefly, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said no agreement will be signed during the visit, but a few MoUs are likely to be signed.

"This is going to be the most important visit by a Bangladeshi leader in 50 years," said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, quoting Yao who met Dr Yunus on March 16.

He said a big focus will be given on relocation of Chinese factories to Bangladesh to make the country a manufacturing hub.

Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to hold their first-ever bilateral meeting on March 28.​
 

Bangladesh sees rising Chinese investment amid trade shifts

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Foreign direct investment (FDI) from China in Bangladesh has risen to $2.67 billion as of September 2024, according to official data, cementing China's position as the country's second-largest investor.

This FDI stock includes $1.41 billion from mainland China and $1.26 billion from Hong Kong, according to the Bangladesh Bank (BB), reflecting a broader effort by Chinese firms to diversify amid the US-China trade war.

Bangladesh, with its low-cost labour and expanding industrial base, has emerged as an attractive destination for Chinese companies seeking alternatives to traditional manufacturing hubs.

The textile sector, a pillar of Bangladesh's export economy, has received the largest share of Chinese FDI, totalling $760.14 million. The telecommunications sector has also drawn substantial Chinese investment, with $322.45 million funnelled into expanding 4G and 5G networks.

Beyond these core industries, Chinese capital is flowing into agriculture, energy and pharmaceuticals, strengthening Bangladesh's infrastructure and supply chains.

The trading sector alone has attracted $203.78 million, according to BB data, modernising logistics and enhancing the country's global competitiveness.

Experts say these investments could increase further if Bangladesh creates a more business-friendly environment, making it a prime beneficiary of shifting global trade dynamics.

"By developing infrastructure and fostering a business-friendly environment, Bangladesh can attract more Chinese investment, especially in sectors like electronics, textiles and agriculture," said Al Mamun Mridha, secretary general of the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI).

Mridha said the trade war has opened up several opportunities for Bangladesh as Chinese companies look to relocate, especially in the semiconductor industry.

He also highlighted emerging opportunities in agriculture as shifting trade relations increased demand for alternative sources.

Bangladesh's garments and footwear sectors, he said, have great potential, citing Vietnam's rapid progress as an example. Tapping into the sneaker and footwear market could boost exports.

The BCCCI secretary general said other promising sectors include electronics, the blue economy and fisheries.

Advanced technology in fish exports, he added, could enhance Bangladesh's global competitiveness.

Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said that while China is investing heavily in Vietnam and Cambodia, Bangladesh has yet to attract the same level of commitment.

However, he said the ongoing trade war and evolving global economic conditions have made Bangladesh a viable option for Chinese investors, provided the country seizes the opportunity.

Although Chinese investments are present, Bangladesh has not fully capitalised on its potential. "For instance, we built the Karnaphuli Tunnel, but the special economic zone for China in Chattogram's Anwara is yet to be fully developed," Rahman pointed out.

If China expands its investments, its companies could manufacture in Bangladesh and export not only to China but also to other markets, including the US, minimising the impact of high tariffs, he added.

The US government has imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods recently, limiting market access of "Made in China" products to the American market.

Rahman said that Bangladesh's duty-free access to Europe, the UK and Canada presents a significant advantage in this regard.

Chinese firms could use the country as a gateway to these markets, he said, but attracting greater investment requires an improved business climate and the removal of regulatory barriers.

Riad Mahmud, managing director of National Polymer Group and a non-leather shoe exporter, said that while his company has not yet received investment proposals from China, US buyers have begun inquiring about factory capacity and compliance, often with the assistance of Chinese firms.

Since Bangladesh does not have a dedicated buying house for synthetic shoes, Mahmud said, the industry, less mature than those in China and Vietnam, depends on Chinese companies to access the US market.

He added that both Chinese firms and US buyers increasingly view Bangladesh as a viable alternative to China, leading to a rise in buying inquiries and fresh opportunities for the country.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram has yet to begin, though the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) initiated the project nine years ago to attract foreign investment.

However, there is a possibility of discussions to expedite its implementation during the tenure of the interim government. Besides, Beza is eager to secure approval for the CEIZ's detailed project plan from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), according to sources.

Beza has reported a steady rise in Chinese investment in export processing zones. Between July 2024 and March 2025, 29 investment agreements have been finalised, 19 of which involve Chinese companies.

This growing interest underscores Bangladesh's potential to attract further foreign investment and drive economic growth.​
 

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