Beijing has proposed a Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor to enhance regional connectivity, while Bangladesh and China have agreed to explore a 2+2 Dialogue Mechanism to deepen strategic cooperation.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman shared the developments at a press briefing on Saturday on the prime minister’s recent visits to Malaysia and China.
He said a key component of the corridor involves establishing multimodal transport links connecting Kunming, in China’s Yunnan Province, with Bangladeshi ports.
Khalilur said the initiative is currently being viewed primarily as an economic proposition designed to improve trade efficiency by utilising ports in Myanmar that are already linked to Chinese supply chains.
“Small Bangladeshi vessels would transport goods from these ports directly to Bangladesh, which is expected to significantly reduce both time to market and cost to market,” he said.
He added that the development of additional land-based connectivity corridors would depend on the restoration of peace and stability in Myanmar’s Rakhine (Arakan) region.
Analysts say the proposal could attract considerable geopolitical attention as Bangladesh seeks to balance relations among major powers.
They argue that while the visit has strengthened bilateral ties, initiatives involving Bangladesh, Myanmar and China may be viewed cautiously by both Washington and New Delhi. If implemented, the corridor could provide China with another route to the Bay of Bengal through Chattogram Port.
The proposal comes more than a decade after the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor initiative stalled, largely because of India’s lukewarm response.
Analysts believe Beijing is now seeking to move ahead with a Bangladesh-Myanmar-China framework without Indian participation.
They say the initiative could benefit China in two ways. First, it would allow products from Yunnan Province to reach Bangladesh more quickly and at lower cost. Second, it would provide China with easier access to Chattogram Port, which is geographically much closer to Yunnan than to China’s eastern seaboard.
Some analysts also believe the proposal may raise questions in Washington about Bangladesh’s strategic positioning in the region.
2+2 Dialogue Mechanism
Dhaka and Beijing have also agreed to explore a 2+2 Dialogue Mechanism to strengthen strategic cooperation.
The mechanism is intended to improve coordination on foreign policy and security issues through integrated consultations involving senior officials from both sides, the foreign minister said.
He said the initiative represents a move towards more comprehensive, high-level engagement on regional and global diplomatic and security matters.
Alongside the proposed mechanism, the two countries have agreed to elevate their regular strategic dialogue from foreign secretary level to foreign minister level.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, which have recently been upgraded to a “China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future”, he added.
Khalilur said Bangladesh-China relations have reached a new strategic level through enhanced diplomatic engagement and the establishment of new dialogue mechanisms during the prime minister’s visit.
He noted that bilateral relations have been upgraded from a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a “China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future”.
“This represents the highest level of bilateral relationship that China maintains with its closest partners, a status shared by only a few countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa,” he said.
The two countries have also agreed to institutionalise strategic dialogue at foreign minister level.
The foreign minister said the current government does not subscribe to what he termed “begging bowl diplomacy”.
He said Bangladesh’s engagement with China and other countries is driven by national interests, economic opportunities and mutual respect rather than dependence on aid.
Dhaka went to Beijing to deepen and broaden bilateral relations, not to seek financial assistance or technical aid, Khalilur Rahman said.
The remarks came amid discussion over the absence of any specific financial commitment in the joint communiqué issued after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China, unlike previous joint statements that highlighted aid and investment figures.
Responding to a question on the amount of foreign assistance secured during the Beijing visit, Khalilur said the government prioritises dignity and mutual interests in diplomacy.
“It is a very embarrassing question. The leadership does not visit other countries to beg for money or technical assistance, but rather to deepen and broaden bilateral relations,” he said.
Khalilur also highlighted what he described as a strong personal rapport between the Bangladeshi and Chinese leadership.
He said President Xi Jinping held an extended private meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, reflecting the importance Beijing attaches to bilateral relations.
The foreign minister referred to a video titled My Friend Knows Magic as evidence of the friendship between the leaders and said President Xi had reaffirmed China’s long-standing policy of friendship towards Bangladesh.
‘China Plus One’ visit
The prime minister’s tour of China and Malaysia has been described by some observers as a “China Plus One” visit, reflecting Bangladesh’s efforts to diversify regional partnerships.
During the Malaysia visit, discussions focused on regional connectivity, economic cooperation and Bangladesh’s bid to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner.
Malaysia pledged support for Bangladesh’s aspirations, while the two countries also agreed to expedite negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, with the aim of concluding it by 2027.
The Rohingya crisis was another key issue, with both sides agreeing to coordinate efforts to facilitate a sustainable solution and repatriation.
In China, the prime minister held meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang focusing on investment and economic cooperation and invited Chinese investors to expand their participation in Bangladesh’s economy.
BRI projects
The two countries agreed to accelerate implementation of the Mongla Port Modernisation and Expansion Project and the Chattogram Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone Development Project.
“We have agreed to cooperate on both large and small public welfare projects under the Belt and Road Initiative,” the foreign minister said.
During the visit, Bangladesh and China signed eight memorandums of understanding, three agreements, one protocol and a joint action plan covering development cooperation, human resources, agriculture, education, trade and investment, and media cooperation.
In China, agreements were finalised for industrial parks in Anwara and Mongla, with an emphasis on rapid factory construction and job creation.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury, Foreign Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and other senior officials attended the foreign minister’s press conference on Saturday.
