PM’s China Visit: Deepening Partnership and Advancing Development Agenda

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to China from 23 to 26 June marks a significant moment in Bangladesh’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy. Coming shortly after his visit to Malaysia, his first official overseas trip since assuming office in February, the China visit carries both symbolic and practical importance. More than a routine diplomatic engagement, it presents an opportunity to redefine the trajectory of Bangladesh-China relations at a time when Bangladesh is navigating a critical phase of economic transformation and geopolitical change.
Over the past five decades, Bangladesh and China have built a relationship grounded in mutual respect, economic cooperation and shared development aspirations. In recent years, this partnership has evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, reflecting growing collaboration across trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, education and regional connectivity. China remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, a position it has maintained for fifteen consecutive years. During the 2024-25 fiscal year, Bangladesh imported more than US$22 billion in goods from China, while exports to the Chinese market totalled approximately US$850 million. Although this imbalance is frequently highlighted in public discussions, it is important to recognise the nature of Bangladesh’s imports from China. A substantial portion consists of industrial machinery, raw materials, intermediate goods and production equipment that are indispensable to Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector and export industries.
The ready-made garment sector, which serves as the backbone of Bangladesh’s export economy, relies heavily on Chinese raw materials and machinery. Similarly, industries such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, construction materials and light engineering benefit significantly from Chinese industrial inputs. Consequently, China’s contribution to Bangladesh’s economy extends beyond trade statistics; it directly supports industrial production, employment generation and export competitiveness.
Chinese investment has also become a major driver of Bangladesh’s development ambitions. Between 2015 and 2025, Chinese investment commitments exceeded US$30 billion, covering a wide range of sectors. Infrastructure development has emerged as a central pillar of this engagement. Projects associated with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including highways, railways, power plants, ports and tunnels, have significantly enhanced Bangladesh’s physical connectivity and productive capacity. Landmark projects such as Padma Bridge Rail Link, Payra Power Plant and Karnaphuli Tunnel illustrate how Chinese investment has contributed to Bangladesh’s infrastructure modernisation. 
Beyond infrastructure, Chinese enterprises have expanded their presence across Bangladesh’s manufacturing and service sectors. Nearly 1,000 Chinese companies currently operate in the country, engaged in garments, construction, energy, renewable technology, information technology and industrial manufacturing. Besides, technology cooperation represents another important dimension of the bilateral relationship. Chinese firms have played a significant role in Bangladesh’s digital transformation by supporting telecommunications networks, fibre-optic infrastructure, data centers, cloud computing systems and smart technology applications. 
Against this backdrop, the central question is what tangible outcomes Tarique Rahman’s visit can deliver?
First, investment and development financing are likely to feature prominently in bilateral discussions. Bangladesh continues to require substantial external financing to support infrastructure modernisation, industrial expansion, energy security and connectivity projects. Several ongoing projects have experienced delays due to financial constraints, administrative bottlenecks or changing development priorities. Chinese support in reviving and accelerating such projects could contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s economic objectives.
Second, Dhaka is expected to seek more favourable financing arrangements. As Bangladesh prepares for its post-LDC graduation era and faces increasing pressure on external financing, access to concessional loans, longer repayment periods, lower interest rates and more flexible financing mechanisms will be crucial. Improved financing terms could help Bangladesh maintain its development momentum while ensuring fiscal sustainability.
Third, expanding Bangladesh’s access to the Chinese market should be a major priority. Reducing the trade imbalance requires greater export diversification and enhanced market access for Bangladeshi products. Ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, leather products, agricultural goods, seafood and light engineering products all have significant export potential. Securing broader access to the Chinese market would not only strengthen Bangladesh’s export earnings but also contribute to long-term economic resilience.
Fourth, technology and innovation cooperation offer immense opportunities for future collaboration. As artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, green technology and advanced manufacturing become key drivers of global economic growth, Bangladesh can benefit substantially from Chinese expertise and investment in these sectors. Enhanced cooperation in research, innovation, higher education and technology transfer would support Bangladesh’s ambitions to move up the global value chain.
The visit may also address several strategic and regional issues. Bangladesh is expected to seek stronger Chinese support for the sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. Given China’s influence in regional diplomacy and its existing engagement in the issue, Beijing’s constructive role remains important for achieving a durable solution.
Maritime cooperation and security issues may likewise receive attention. As Bangladesh’s economic and strategic interests in the Bay of Bengal continue to expand, cooperation in blue economy development, maritime infrastructure, port modernisation, disaster management, naval capacity-building and maritime security becomes increasingly relevant. Such cooperation can contribute to both economic development and regional stability.
Ultimately, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China should be viewed within the broader context of Bangladesh’s long-term development strategy. Bangladesh seeks to become an upper-middle-income country, diversify its economy, accelerate industrial upgrading, strengthen connectivity and expand its role in regional and global value chains. Achieving these objectives will require strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with major economic powers, among which China holds a particularly significant position.
If the visit succeeds in generating new investment commitments, expanding market access, securing favourable financing arrangements, advancing technological cooperation and strengthening strategic dialogue, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladesh-China relations. More importantly, it could provide fresh momentum for Bangladesh’s economic transformation and reinforce a partnership that has become increasingly important to the country’s development aspirations.
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Mohammad Shakil Bhuiyan is a faculty member in Political Studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages) at Sanming University in Fujian province, China