Govt for ‘unprecedented cooperation’ with China, looks beyond infra projects: Shama Obaed

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday emphasised the need to strengthen Bangladesh’s partnership with China in ways that go beyond large-scale infrastructure projects with increased focus on empowering people, strengthening small businesses, and advancing green and sustainable development.

“I assure you that the government of Bangladesh looks forward to the next decade of Bangladesh-China friendship in a way that has never been seen before – a decade of unabated cooperation in industrial growth and inclusive prosperity,” she said.

The State Minister made the remarks while speaking at a function celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, hosted by the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) at a hotel in Dhaka.

Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Dhaka, Dr Liu Yuyin, and BCCCI President Mohd Khorshed Alam also spoke at the event.

Shama said relations between Bangladesh and China date back several centuries, if not millennia, with historical records documenting exchanges between scholars and traders from the two countries over many centuries.

She said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman laid the foundations for the broad-based engagement the two countries share across political, economic, trade and technological issues.

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia gave it a concrete shape with her ideas on political autonomy and the economic agency of the people, especially by bringing women into the productive sphere and promoting their participation, Shama said, noting that 2026 has been a remarkably significant year for the two nations.

She said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s historic visit to China earlier this year opened a new chapter in bilateral friendship.

“The visit was a milestone in our bilateral relationship, elevating it to a ‘China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future in the New Era,’” she said.

Shama said Bangladesh’s commitment to the One China Policy had remained unwavering. “To our great delight, China has also stood by us as a staunch development partner.”

She said the friendship between the two countries was built on mutual respect, practical cooperation and a shared vision of peace and prosperity. “Our ties span trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, industry and culture,” she added.

China’s remarkable transformation over the past seven decades offers one of the most striking examples of development on a large scale in modern history, the State Minister said.

“China’s rise as a global leader in manufacturing and technology, alongside its success in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, holds valuable lessons for developing nations, including Bangladesh. We now want to build on this resilience and the spirit that underpins this unique capability,” she said.

Shama expressed confidence that the BCCCI would play an important role in helping Chinese investors and entrepreneurs connect with government authorities and local enterprises.

“May the friendship between Bangladesh and China continue to flourish, bringing greater progress to our peoples and lasting stability to our region,” she said.

Dr Yuyin said China supports Bangladesh’s new government in governing the country and supports Bangladesh in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs.

He said China also supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and opposes external interference.

The diplomat said China would continue to encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh in emerging sectors such as manufacturing, clean energy, the digital economy and tourism.

“We will also promote deeper integration between the industrial and supply chains of our two countries while actively exploring institutional arrangements to facilitate trade and investment, thereby creating a more favourable environment for long-term, stable and mutually beneficial cooperation between our enterprises,” he said.

Dr Yuyin said China had always been a trustworthy friend and development partner of Bangladesh.

“Let us cherish our hard-won friendship, seize new opportunities for development, deepen practical cooperation and work together to bring China-Bangladesh economic and trade relations to new heights, creating a more prosperous and brighter future for the peoples of both countries,” he said.

China has also announced the launch of an engineering capacity-building programme to train 10,000 engineers from developing countries over the next five years.

The programme will help participating countries, including Bangladesh, improve their infrastructure and strengthen their resilience in pursuing development.

“These practical measures fully demonstrate China’s commitment as a major country, a staunch advocate of global development and a pragmatic actor in advancing the global development agenda,” he said.

Looking ahead, Dr Yuyin said China stood ready to work with Bangladesh to translate the positive momentum in bilateral relations into more tangible outcomes.

This year marks the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China and the 10th anniversary of China-Bangladesh cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Over the past half-century, despite changes in the international landscape, China and Bangladesh have consistently treated each other with mutual respect and sincerity, Dr Yuyin said. “We have remained good neighbours, good friends and trusted partners.”

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had made his first visit to China earlier this year, during which the leaders of the two countries reached a series of important consensuses and agreed to elevate their relationship by jointly building a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era, bringing greater benefits to both countries and their peoples.

He said Chinese enterprises remained confident in Bangladesh’s development prospects and investment potential.

To date, China’s cumulative investment in Bangladesh has reached approximately $3.6 billion. In 2025, Chinese investment in Bangladesh grew by around 50 percent year on year.