Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman today said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China elevated Dhaka-Beijing relations to their highest level, marking the beginning of a "China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future."
"This is the highest step in terms of China's bilateral engagement," the foreign minister told a media briefing at the foreign ministry while highlighting the outcomes of the prime minister's just-concluded visits to Malaysia and China.
He said the landmark upgrade in bilateral ties reflected the growing strategic importance of Bangladesh in China's regional diplomacy.
Leaders of the two countries agreed to elevate relations from a "Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership" to a "China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future" in the new era, opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.
Dr. Rahman said Bangladesh and China agreed to institutionalise a Strategic Dialogue at the foreign minister level and introduce a "2+2" dialogue mechanism covering diplomacy and defence.
The two countries also agreed to expedite the implementation of the Mongla Port Modernisation and Expansion Project and the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone Development Project in Chattogram.
He said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), covering both large-scale infrastructure projects and people-centric development initiatives.
During the visit, Bangladesh and China signed eight memorandums of understanding (MoUs), three agreements, one protocol and one Joint Action Plan covering development cooperation, human resource development, agriculture, education, trade, investment and media cooperation.
In addition, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) signed two agreements and one MoU with a Chinese private-sector entity, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) signed a separate memorandum of understanding to strengthen political cooperation.
The foreign minister said the two countries also discussed strengthening regional connectivity through multimodal transport links connecting Kunming with Bangladeshi ports and advancing the proposed China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
Significant progress was made on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), with China pledging its fullest support and both sides agreeing to expedite the project's feasibility study, he added.
Bangladesh and China also agreed to deepen cooperation in integrated water resources management, flood control, river dredging and related technology exchange, while enhancing collaboration in the defence sector.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman said China also pledged its full support for Bangladesh's efforts to join BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The foreign minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in China also enhanced Bangladesh's global profile, with the country being recognised as a frontline nation in tackling climate change.
He said the prime minister was invited to deliver a keynote address on climate change at the forum, while proposing that the issue receive greater prominence at future annual meetings of the World Economic Forum. The WEF President and Chief Executive Officer assured him that appropriate steps would be taken.
Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the two sides also signed a party-to-party memorandum of understanding to strengthen political cooperation.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and senior officials of the foreign ministry were present at the briefing.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned home on Friday after concluding his maiden overseas tour to Malaysia and China.
MSH
