Partnerships must be built on transparency, accountability and balanced negotiation, according to a recent report examining Bangladesh’s expanding engagement with China. The report argues that while stronger ties with Beijing present significant opportunities, the crucial question is whether Bangladesh can protect its national interests with equal clarity, confidence and foresight.
Relations between Dhaka and Beijing have entered a new phase following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China last month. The visit resulted in a broad package of agreements covering infrastructure, trade, education, healthcare, defence and party-to-party cooperation.
While closer engagement with the world’s second-largest economy is not unusual, the report notes that the speed and scope of the new agreements raise important questions about how Bangladesh can maximise the benefits while safeguarding its long-term strategic interests.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China (CPC). Unlike traditional government-to-government agreements, such arrangements establish direct links between political parties. Through its International Department, the CPC has long developed similar relationships worldwide as part of China’s broader diplomatic strategy.
The report also highlights the role of China’s United Front Work Department, which researchers say has expanded Beijing’s engagement with overseas communities, academic institutions and civil society organisations.
China has also strengthened its media presence in Bangladesh through China Media Group (CMG), the country’s state broadcaster. CMG has entered into content-sharing agreements, organised journalist exchange programmes and expanded cooperation with local media organisations. While such collaborations are common in international media diplomacy, the report notes that they also provide China with greater opportunities to promote its narratives abroad.
Drawing on global experience, the report stresses that transparency, competitive procurement and prudent debt management are essential to ensure that Bangladesh’s long-term national interests remain protected while implementing major foreign-funded projects.
The report further identifies economic dependence as an area requiring careful attention. Although bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China has exceeded $24 billion annually, Bangladeshi exports account for only a small share of that total. It recommends that future negotiations focus not only on attracting Chinese investment but also on expanding market access for Bangladeshi products and addressing the growing trade imbalance.
The report concludes that while Bangladesh stands to benefit significantly from closer cooperation with China, these opportunities must be managed strategically to avoid long-term dependency. It also recommends that defence modernisation should proceed in line with the country’s economic capacity, technological advancement and human resource development to ensure sustainable national growth.