Bangladesh, China to Announce Joint Declaration During PM Tarique Rahman’s Landmark Beijing Visit
Bangladesh and China are preparing to announce a new joint declaration on June 26 following a high-level summit between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The declaration is expected to mark a significant milestone in bilateral relations as the two nations celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties.
According to officials in Dhaka, more than a dozen agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the Prime Minister’s upcoming five-day visit to China. Discussions will focus on Chinese financing and cooperation in key development sectors, while political and strategic partnership issues are likely to receive heightened attention.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive in China on June 22 after completing engagements in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He will be accompanied by senior cabinet members, advisers, and government officials.
A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1975, Bangladesh and China have issued joint declarations only twice before. The upcoming declaration will be the third, underscoring the growing importance of political and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
During the visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to hold separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. He will also meet Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress.
Diplomatic observers view the Prime Minister’s meetings with China’s top leadership as a strong signal of deepening political engagement between Dhaka and Beijing.
Political and Party-Level Cooperation
Sources indicate that a memorandum of understanding between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) has been finalized ahead of the visit. The CPC’s International Department Minister Liu Jianchao is expected to meet the Prime Minister, who will also visit the Museum of the Communist Party of China during his stay in Beijing.
Bangladesh Expected to Join China’s Global Development Initiative
One of the most significant outcomes of the visit could be Bangladesh’s formal participation in China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), a flagship international development framework launched by President Xi Jinping in 2021.
A cooperation agreement related to the initiative has reportedly been finalized. If signed, it would represent Bangladesh’s most significant participation in a major Chinese global initiative since joining the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2016.
Officials believe the move could open new avenues for development cooperation, infrastructure financing, and economic growth.
Participation in the Summer Davos Forum
The Prime Minister will spend the first phase of his visit in Dalian, where he is scheduled to participate in the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, widely known as the “Summer Davos.”
He is expected to attend discussions on climate change, meet senior World Economic Forum officials, and participate in events hosted by the Chinese government and international business leaders.
Busy Beijing Agenda
After traveling to Beijing on June 24, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the Bangladesh Investment Forum and hold meetings with representatives of major Chinese corporations and financial institutions.
A bilateral summit with Premier Li Qiang is scheduled for June 25 at the Great Hall of the People. Following the talks, both sides are expected to witness the signing of multiple agreements, MoUs, and cooperation protocols.
On June 26, the Prime Minister will meet President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders before concluding his visit and returning to Dhaka.
Key Agreements Under Consideration
More than 15 agreements and cooperation documents are reportedly ready for signing. Major agreements include:
- Development cooperation between Bangladesh and China.
- A framework agreement for the modernization and expansion of Mongla Port.
- Cooperation in Chinese language education.
Additional MoUs are expected to cover:
- Implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
- Green energy and sustainable power generation.
- Geological surveys and resource exploration.
- Artificial intelligence development.
- Technical and vocational education.
- Media cooperation involving Bangladesh and Chinese state media organizations.
- Collaboration between Bangladesh’s information institutions and China’s Xinhua News Agency.
Strategic Importance
Foreign policy experts believe the visit could significantly elevate Bangladesh-China relations beyond traditional project-based cooperation. Analysts suggest that expanding political engagement, economic collaboration, and strategic dialogue will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future partnership.
The visit also comes at a time of heightened geopolitical competition among major global powers in the Indo-Pacific region. Experts emphasize that Bangladesh will need to maintain a balanced foreign policy while safeguarding its national interests and expanding cooperation with key international partners.
Observers say the outcomes of this visit could pave the way for greater Chinese investment, broader economic cooperation, and stronger strategic ties between Dhaka and Beijing in the years ahead.
