China has pledged to support Bangladesh's Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) and deepen cooperation on major infrastructure, trade and strategic initiatives, as the two countries agreed to elevate their bilateral partnership during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's official visit to Beijing.
A 15-point joint communiqué issued on Friday said Beijing would provide support for the Teesta project within its capacity and assist experts from both countries in expediting the project's feasibility study and related work.
The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in integrated water resources management, including water planning, hydrological forecasting, flood prevention, disaster risk reduction, river dredging and technology sharing. They also pledged closer cooperation on maritime affairs.
The agreements were announced following Mr Rahman's official visit to China from 22 to 26 June at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During the visit, the Bangladeshi prime minister met Chinese President Xi Jinping, held talks with Premier Li and met Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
The joint statement said Bangladesh and China would jointly advance the modernisation and expansion of Mongla Port and accelerate development of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram. The countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, e-commerce, industrial and supply chains, investment, connectivity, scientific and technological innovation, information and communications technology, green energy, photovoltaic technology, disaster prevention and climate change.
Both sides agreed to explore new regional connectivity options, including direct transport links between Bangladesh and China.
China reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bangladesh's economic and social development and said it would continue assisting the country in advancing industrialisation, strengthening agricultural modernisation and implementing high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Bangladesh welcomed China's zero-tariff treatment for 100 per cent of tariff lines and pledged to create a more favourable environment for Chinese investment.
The two countries also agreed to deepen defence cooperation through exchanges, visits and training, while maintaining close engagement on United Nations peacekeeping operations. They will establish a strategic dialogue mechanism between their foreign ministers and explore a "2+2" dialogue mechanism covering diplomacy and defence.
During the visit, Bangladesh and China signed a series of cooperation agreements covering development cooperation, human resources, agriculture, education, trade and investment, and media cooperation.
The communiqué also highlighted closer cooperation in education, culture, youth exchanges, sports, publishing, films, think tanks and public health, including traditional medicine. China will continue supporting human resource development and encourage greater collaboration between universities and vocational institutions in both countries. Bangladesh also welcomed healthcare cooperation with China's Yunnan Province.
On the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh welcomed China's continued role in seeking a resolution to the displacement of people from Myanmar's Rakhine State. Beijing praised Bangladesh for providing humanitarian assistance to the refugees and said it would continue facilitating dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar to help achieve a mutually acceptable solution through friendly consultations.
The two sides reaffirmed support for each other's core national interests. Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to the one-China principle, recognising the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government representing China and opposing any form of "Taiwan independence". China reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independent development path.
China also expressed support for Bangladesh playing a greater role in multilateral organisations, including the United Nations, and backed the country's participation in BRICS as well as its application to become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The communiqué noted that the two countries have steadily strengthened political trust and practical cooperation since establishing diplomatic relations in 1975. China congratulated Bangladesh on holding its February 2026 general election and expressed support for the new government's governance agenda. Bangladesh said China's 15th Five-Year Plan would create new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
Both countries agreed to elevate their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and work towards building what they described as a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future. They said the enhanced partnership would deliver greater benefits for both countries while maintaining regular high-level exchanges and expanding cooperation across a broad range of sectors.
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