After Washington, Beijing is also sending a political delegation to engage with and better understand the new government formed in February.
China remains a key strategic and economic partner of Bangladesh, and successive governments in Dhaka have maintained close ties with Beijing.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on Thursday and briefed him on the upcoming visit of China Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
Sun is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on 2–3 April to lead the Chinese delegation at the 14th Bangladesh–China Diplomatic Consultations.
The consultations will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation.
During the visit, Sun is expected to meet several senior officials and dignitaries.
The talks are likely to cover political understanding, geopolitical developments, development cooperation, ongoing projects and possible high-level visits.
Strong bilateral ties
Dhaka and Beijing maintain a strategic relationship, with China currently Bangladesh’s largest trading partner.
Bangladesh imports more than $23 billion worth of goods from China annually, while exports to China range between $600 million and $800 million.
Chinese accumulated investment in Bangladesh stands at around $1.2 billion.
Several major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh involve Chinese participation, including the modernisation and expansion of Mongla Port, the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, and the Southern Development Initiative.
In the defence sector, Bangladesh has also developed significant cooperation with China.
International defence assessments indicate that Bangladesh is the second-largest global destination for Chinese arms.
Between 2019 and 2023, Beijing supplied more than 70 per cent of Bangladesh’s defence equipment.
Key imports include Ming-class submarines, MBT-2000 tanks, JF-17 fighter aircraft and various missile systems, largely driven by competitive pricing, long-standing familiarity and the absence of political conditions.
Strategic considerations
Recent developments in Bangladesh’s external relations have drawn attention in diplomatic circles.
Dhaka and Washington recently signed a reciprocal tariff agreement, some provisions of which relate to transactions involving third countries.
Diplomats interpret the move as potentially discouraging imports from China or other countries considered unfriendly by the United States.
In another development, almost all members of Bangladesh’s cabinet attended an iftar hosted by the India High Commission in Dhaka — an event closely watched by political and diplomatic observers.
Analysts believe Beijing may seek clarity on the implications of the tariff arrangement with Washington for Bangladesh–China relations.
China may also want to understand the future trajectory of Dhaka–New Delhi relations and whether that could influence Dhaka’s engagement with Beijing.
Dhaka’s cautious approach
Political analysts say Dhaka has not altered its policy towards China, and Beijing is well aware of that continuity.
The decision to send a vice foreign minister suggests China is seeking early engagement with the new government to maintain continuity rather than expecting major shifts in bilateral relations.
Observers say Beijing is also interested in understanding the new administration’s perspectives on both Washington and New Delhi.
The visit may also involve discussions on broader geopolitical developments, including regional sentiment following recent tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
During his visit to Dhaka in early March, US diplomat Paul Kapur reportedly discouraged Bangladesh from importing defence and other equipment from China, describing China as a non-market economy.
Meanwhile, New Delhi is closely monitoring the evolving dynamics between Beijing and the new government in Dhaka.
Former ambassador Md Sufiur Rahman said it is natural for Beijing to engage early with the new government at a senior level.
“It is normal that Beijing will engage with the new government from the beginning,” he said.
“The Chinese ambassador has already done the preliminary work, and now a senior official from Beijing will come to explore priority areas for bilateral cooperation and prepare the ground for higher-level visits.”
Rahman said China also has broader geo-strategic interests and may seek clarification from Dhaka about the reciprocal tariff arrangement with Washington and any recalibration of Bangladesh’s relations with New Delhi.
He said Bangladesh sources different types of goods, equipment and machinery from China, the US and India, and trade with China would not significantly affect trade with the other two countries.
China may also try to draw Bangladesh into initiatives launched by President Xi Jinping in recent years.
“The Dhaka–Beijing relationship is stable and largely predictable, and it can be pursued independently of Bangladesh’s relations with the US, India, the European Union or Gulf countries,” Rahman said.
“Given current geopolitical uncertainties, Bangladesh must balance external pressures while focusing on its own national interests and preserving foreign policy autonomy.”
“How the inexperienced BNP government manages that balance and maintains manoeuvrability in external relations remains to be seen,” he added.
