Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan have pledged to enhance trilateral cooperation through mutual trust, equality and openness, reaffirming their shared commitment to peace, stability and inclusive development in the region.
The pledge came during a high-level meeting held on June 19 in Kunming, Yunnan province of China. Representatives from all three countries engaged in extensive discussions on broadening collaboration across multiple sectors.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the cooperation framework is based on the principles of good-neighbourliness, inclusiveness, and true multilateralism, and is not aimed at any third party.
Bangladesh was represented by former acting foreign secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Pakistan’s Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Imran Ahmed Siddiqui were also present, while Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch joined the first phase of the meeting via video link.
The Bangladesh government has yet to issue an official statement on the meeting’s outcomes.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong described Bangladesh and Pakistan as “good neighbours, good friends and good partners of China,” and noted their roles as important participants in the Belt and Road Initiative.
“All three countries are significant members of the Global South and face shared challenges in achieving national revitalisation and modernisation. A peaceful and stable environment is essential to that goal,” said Sun.
He added that trilateral cooperation among the three countries serves the common interests of their peoples and can contribute to regional development and prosperity.
According to the Chinese side, the trilateral platform will prioritise projects in sectors such as industry, trade, maritime affairs, water resources, climate change, agriculture, health, education, human resource development, and cultural and youth exchanges.
A working group will be formed to follow up and implement the agreements made during the meeting.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to the Kunming meeting as the “inaugural meeting of the Bangladesh-China-Pakistan trilateral mechanism.” It said the countries had agreed to intensify cooperation in trade, investment, digital economy, marine sciences, green infrastructure and people-to-people ties.
On the sidelines of the trilateral talks, Sun Weidong also met with Haji Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Acting Deputy Prime Minister of the Afghan interim government, and held bilateral discussions with both Ruhul Alam Siddique and Imran Ahmed Siddiqui.