Bangladesh and China have agreed to elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to jointly build a "China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era", marking a new phase in bilateral relations.
The announcement came in a joint communiqué issued after bilateral meetings between Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang during the Prime Minister's official visit to China.
The two sides agreed in principle to establish a "2+2" dialogue mechanism involving their foreign and defence ministries and to create a strategic dialogue mechanism between their foreign ministers.
Both countries also agreed to advance the Mongla Port Facilities Modernisation and Expansion Project and the development of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram.
China said it would provide support, within its capacity, for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), while experts from both countries will expedite feasibility studies and related work.
The communiqué said the two countries reaffirmed support for each other's core interests. Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to the One-China policy and opposed any form of "Taiwan independence", while China reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The two countries agreed to expand cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen trade, investment, e-commerce, industrial and supply chains, and explore new options for regional connectivity, including direct connectivity between the two countries.
China will continue supporting Bangladesh's economic and social development, while Bangladesh welcomed China's zero-tariff treatment for 100 per cent tariff lines and pledged to foster a favourable environment for Chinese investment.
The communiqué also outlined expanded cooperation in science and technology, green energy, telecommunications, climate change, water resources management, disaster mitigation and river dredging.
Both sides agreed to deepen defence cooperation through exchanges, training and visits, while maintaining cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, healthcare, culture, media, youth exchanges and human resource development. China will continue offering study opportunities for Bangladeshi students and support cooperation between universities and vocational institutions.
China expressed support for Bangladesh's participation in BRICS and its application to become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), while backing Bangladesh's greater role in multilateral institutions.
On the Rohingya issue, China reiterated its support for efforts to facilitate a mutually acceptable solution between Bangladesh and Myanmar through friendly consultations and pledged to continue assisting the repatriation process.
The joint communiqué noted that both countries would continue promoting multilateral cooperation while safeguarding the UN-centred international order.
During the visit, Bangladesh and China signed several cooperation documents covering development cooperation, human resources, agriculture, education, trade and investment, and media cooperation.
