China pledges support for Teesta project, agrees to deepen defence ties

China has pledged to support the proposed Teesta River management project in Bangladesh, and agreed to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, according to a joint communique issued Friday.

Deeper defence cooperation would involve increased exchanges, trainings and visits, among other areas, the communique read.

Beijing has also agreed to bolster collaboration on scientific and technological innovation, and pledged to strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade, e-commerce, industrial, supply chain and investment, read the communique, which was issued towards the end of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s three-day official visit to Beijing.

China and Bangladesh agreed to explore newer options for regional connectivity, including direct connectivity between the two countries, and promote “high-quality cooperation” under the Belt and Road Initiative.

China will continue to support Bangladesh in advancing industrialisation and enhancing agricultural modernisation and resilience as part of support measures for advancing the economic and social development in the South Asian country, the communique further said.

For Bangladesh’s economic advancement, Beijing will also promote both major signature projects and “small and beautiful” livelihood projects.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in disaster prevention and addressing climate change, as per the communique.

The full joint communique is as follows:

1. At the invitation of Li Qiang, premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, paid an official visit to China from 22 to 26 June and attended the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 (Summer Davos) in Dalian, China.

During the visit, Xi Jinping, president of the People’s Republic of China, met with Tarique Rahman. Li Qiang held talks with Tarique Rahman. Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, had a meeting with Prime Minister Rahman. The two sides conducted an in-depth exchange of views on China-Bangladesh relations, and international and regional affairs of common interest and reached a broad consensus.

2. The two sides shared the view that since the inception of their diplomatic relations in 1975, China and Bangladesh have continuously cemented their political mutual trust, strengthened traditional friendship, and carried out fruitful pragmatic cooperation, and their bilateral relations enjoy promising prospects. The Chinese side congratulated Bangladesh for smoothly holding a general election in February 2026, expressed support for the governance of the new government of Bangladesh, and acknowledged that the new government of Bangladesh implemented the “Bangladesh Before All” policy. The Bangladeshi side believed that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will bring important development opportunities to Bangladesh. Both sides agreed to elevate their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to jointly build a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era, to bring about more benefits to the two countries and peoples.

3. The two sides agreed to keep the momentum of high-level interactions, increase exchanges of governance experience, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between governments, legislative bodies and political parties. The two sides agreed to set up a mechanism for strategic dialogue between foreign ministers. The two sides agreed to explore “2+2” dialogue mechanism on diplomacy and defense.

4. The two sides reaffirmed their firm support for each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns. They stressed that the authority of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no question or challenge. Bangladesh reaffirmed its strong commitment to the one-China principle, and recognized that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Bangladesh resolutely opposed any form of “Taiwan independence”, firmly supported efforts of the Chinese government in achieving national reunification. China reaffirmed its policy of good neighborliness toward all people of Bangladesh, firmly supported Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respected the choice of the people of Bangladesh for an independent development path suited to their national conditions.

5. The two sides agreed to promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and work together to realize their goals of modernization. China will pursue greater synergy with Bangladesh on development plans, promote both major signature projects and “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, and continue to support Bangladesh in advancing industrialization and enhancing agricultural modernization and resilience. China will continue to support Bangladesh to the best of its capacity in advancing the economic and social development of Bangladesh.

6. China will strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh in trade, e-commerce, industrial and supply chains, and investment, in order to upgrade its export capacity and jointly uphold the multilateral trading system. Bangladesh appreciated China for the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, and will foster a favourable environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh. The two sides agreed to jointly advance the Mongla Port Facilities Modernization and Expansion Project and the development of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram.

7. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in such areas as connectivity, scientific and technological innovation, information and communications, green energy, photovoltaic technology, disaster prevention and mitigation, and addressing climate change. Both sides agreed to explore newer options for regional connectivity, including direct connectivity between China and Bangladesh.

8. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in such areas as integrated water resources management, water resources planning, hydrological forecasting, flood prevention and disaster reduction, and river dredging, and related technology sharing. The Chinese side will provide support and help within its capacity to the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), and support experts from both countries in expediting the feasibility study of the project and relevant work. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime affairs.

9. The two sides agreed to deepen defense cooperation including exchanges, visits and training. Both sides agreed to maintain mutual understanding and engagement on UN peacekeeping affairs.

10. The two sides commended the successful commemoration of the 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic ties and the Year of China-Bangladesh People-to-People Exchanges in 2025. They agreed to deepen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in such areas as media, think tanks, education, films, publishing, youth, sports and culture. The two sides will strengthen cooperation in human resources development and support closer cooperation between universities and vocational colleges. China will continue to provide Bangladeshi students with opportunities to study in China. The two sides agreed to deepen practical cooperation in such areas as public health and traditional medicine. Bangladesh welcomed and appreciated Chinese cooperation at subnational levels such as Yunnan Province in medical and health care.

11. Bangladesh appreciated and supported the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the series of Global Initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and stood ready to carry out cooperation with China. China supported Bangladesh in playing a greater role in multilateral institutions such as the UN, and supported Bangladesh to participate in the BRICS and the application of Bangladesh to become the partner of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The two sides expressed readiness to continue promoting multilateral cooperation in the region and welcome more countries in the region to join in the process.

12. Both sides agreed to firmly safeguard the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and continue efforts to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Both sides agreed that it is essential to firmly uphold the outcomes of the victory of World War II and oppose any attempts for fascistic and militaristic revival. The two sides expressed support for the postwar international order established by the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and other international legal documents including the UN Charter.

13. Bangladesh commended China’s constructive role in promoting the resolution of the issue concerning the forcibly displaced people from the Rakhine State of Myanmar who have taken shelter in Bangladesh. The Chinese side commended Bangladesh for providing humanitarian assistance to those people, and supported Bangladesh and Myanmar in finding a mutually acceptable solution through friendly consultations. China will continue to facilitate this process to the best of its capabilities.

14. During the visit, the two sides signed a number of cooperation documents in sectors including development cooperation, human resources cooperation, agriculture, education, trade and investment and media cooperation.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the government and people of the People’s Republic of China for the warm and friendly reception extended to him and his delegation, and invited the Chinese leadership to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.