Bangladesh and China have agreed to elevate the relations to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership" from "strategic partnership", said a joint statement.
Bangladesh foreign ministry published the 27-point joint statement on its website after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrapped up her three-day bilateral visit to China from June 8 to 10.
The prime minister returned home early hours of Thursday from the Chinese capital city of Beijing.
In the joint statement, the two sides have shared the view that early repatriation is the only way to resolve the issue concerning the displaced people from Myanmar, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
"Leaders of the two countries agreed to stay committed to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, carry forward the long-standing friendship, foster greater synergy between development strategies of the two countries, advance the Belt and Road cooperation, and elevate the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership," the statement said.
Bangladesh and China applauded their strategic partnership of cooperation established in 2016 and agreed that the China-Bangladesh relationship has reached a new height.
The two countries decided to take the opportunity of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations in 2025 to plan together for the future development of bilateral ties and take the China-Bangladesh relationship to another new height.
The joint statement between the People’s Republic of China and The People’s Republic of Bangladesh on the Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership is given below:
During the visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a meeting with H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, held talks with Premier Li Qiang, and met with H.E. Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two sides had in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, and reached extensive consensus.
The two sides applauded their strategic partnership of cooperation established in 2016, and agreed that the China-Bangladesh relationship has reached a new height.
The two sides agreed that China and Bangladesh have been good neighbors and good friends since ancient times, sharing a millennium-old history of friendly exchanges.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and to mutual understanding and support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns.
The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level interactions, and enhance strategic communication and deepen strategic mutual trust through visits, exchange of letters, and meetings on multilateral occasions. Both sides agreed to promote closer exchanges and cooperation at official and people-to-people levels.
The Bangladesh side expressed appreciation and thanks for China’s support for Bangladesh’s economic and social development, and applauded the important role played by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in promoting the socio-economic development of the people of Bangladesh.
The two sides recognized the completion of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under Karnaphuli river, the Modernization of Telecommunication Network Project, Development of ICT Infra-Network for Bangladesh Government Phase-III (Info-Sarker 3) and the Single Point Mooring (SPM) with Double Pipeline Project, and expressed satisfaction with the progress in major bilateral cooperation projects, such as the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, the Project of Expansion and Strengthening of Power System Network under DPDC Area, the Power Grid Network Strengthening Project under PGCB, the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway and the Rajshahi Surface Water Treatment Plant Project.
The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and finance, conclude the joint feasibility study on a China-Bangladesh free trade agreement, and launch formal negotiations as soon as possible. China has completed the entry procedures for Bangladesh’s fresh mango exports to China, and welcomes Bangladesh to expand exports of jute, leather, aquatic products and other high-quality special products to China.
The Chinese side expressed its readiness to support and participate in building “Smart Bangladesh,” promote cooperation between digital and ICT think tanks of the two countries, and explore the joint establishment of a digital innovation lab to carry out digital capacity building.
The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in such fields as agriculture, meteorology, water management and ecological protection.
The two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in health, encourage medical institutions of both countries to deepen practical cooperation in such fields as prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases, and digitization of health services, and promoting technical exchanges in the research and development of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical devices.
The two sides recognized the important role of educational exchanges and cooperation in promoting understanding and friendship between the two countries, and agreed to advance exchanges between students, teachers and researchers at various levels, encourage educational institutions of the two sides to carry out cooperative research and joint training, and pursue practical cooperation in the fields of higher, vocational and digital education and Bangla and Chinese language teaching.
The two sides agreed to deepen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, and designate the year of 2025 as the “China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges” to promote interactions between the two countries in the fields of culture, tourism, media, think tanks, sports, youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
The two sides agreed to step up maritime and blue economy cooperation in areas of marine observation, disaster prevention and mitigation, the Ocean to Climate Seamless Forecasting System (OSF) and the Marine Hazards Early Warning and Mitigation System, with a view to enhancing marine sustainability and resilience of Bangladesh. China will assist Bangladesh to cultivate more talents in marine affairs. The two sides agreed to hold the second round of maritime cooperation dialogue at an early date.
Both China and Bangladesh are important representatives of Asian civilizations, and play an indispensable role in protecting the cultural heritage of Asia. The two sides will actively expand exchanges and cooperation on the research and protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
The two sides discussed various aspects of the Global Development Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping. The Chinese side is ready to share experience on GDI issues with the Bangladesh side. The Chinese side also presented the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) to the Bangladesh side to ensure peace, development and shared prosperity for all.
On defense cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen more exchanges at all levels and between various armed forces and departments, and deepen practical cooperation in defense. Both sides agreed to maintain their mutual understanding and engagement on UN peacekeeping and peace building issues.
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination in international and multilateral affairs, and expressed readiness to further coordinate positions and build broader consensus in multilateral processes concerning international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, humanitarian affairs, climate change, energy transition and environmental protection, to jointly safeguard the common interest of developing countries.
Bearing in mind that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the two sides agreed on the need to carry forward the Five Principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, with a view to jointly building a community with a shared future for Asia and for mankind.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen coordination and collaboration in multilateral organizations and mechanisms such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization and ASEAN Regional Forum.
The two sides reiterated that the fundamental way out of the ongoing grave crisis in Gaza lies in the implementation of the two-State solution and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.
The two sides share the view that the promotion and protection of human rights is a common cause of all humanity, and the rights to subsistence and development are basic human rights of paramount importance.
The two sides share the view that early repatriation is the only way to resolve the issue concerning the displaced people from Rakhine State of Myanmar, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
The two sides share the view that climate change is a global challenge. It is imperative for all countries to work together within the framework of multilateralism and in accordance with the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, to advance the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement.
During the visit, the two sides signed cooperation documents on trade and investment, digital economy, financial regulation, education cooperation, medical care and public health, infrastructure cooperation, green and low carbon development, agricultural cooperation, hydrological forecasting, and cooperation in radio and television.
