Education will serve as the foundation for building stronger ties between Bangladesh and China, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said on Friday.
Speaking at the opening session of the “China-Bangladesh Round Table on Governance Experience Exchange” at a city hotel, Milon emphasised the role of education in fostering cooperation in higher education, governance, and development between the two nations.
“Education will be the material to construct the bridge connecting Bangladesh and China,” he said, highlighting the growing strategic partnership. The conference was organised by Dhaka University’s Centre for China Studies in collaboration with the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS).
The minister pointed to recent agreements signed by Dhaka University with Chinese universities to promote research and academic collaboration.
“These MoUs are part of a broader effort to strengthen strategic relations with China,” he added.
The minister stressed the importance of transforming Bangladesh’s large population into skilled human capital through quality education and technical training. “Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. Developing our population into capable professionals is our responsibility,” he said.
Referring to the government’s educational initiatives, Milon noted plans for significant investments aimed at knowledge exchange, skills development, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He added that Chinese expertise in vocational training and industrial development could guide Bangladesh in creating a productive workforce mirroring China’s experience.
The Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen praised the BNP as an important partner in governance cooperation. “The Communist Party of China and BNP, both ruling parties, now have unprecedented opportunities for exchanging state governance experience,” he said.
The ambassador highlighted expanded bilateral cooperation in politics, education, infrastructure, and the economy, noting that the Chinese Embassy had issued over 32,000 visas this year, with projections to exceed 100,000 by year-end, facilitated by 45 weekly flights connecting Dhaka with multiple Chinese cities.
Educational collaboration continues to grow with new Confucius Institutes being established at Rajshahi and Chittagong universities. He also pointed to recent Chinese investments totaling nearly $100 million, generating approximately 10,000 jobs, and ongoing projects such as the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and Mongla Port upgrades.
“China remains a reliable and trustworthy partner for Bangladesh, supporting the country’s economic diversification and development efforts,” Yao Wen said, reaffirming Beijing’s backing for Bangladesh’s bid for the presidency of the 31st UN General Assembly.
The event featured addresses by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam, SIIS President Chen Dongxiao, and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam.
Sessions covered topics including international affairs, artificial intelligence, governance, and river and urban transportation management, drawing academics, diplomats, and policy experts from both countries.
