POBNEWS24 Dhaka Mar 28, 2025 : Bangladesh and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in such areas as hydrological forecasting, flood prevention and disaster reduction, river dredging, integrated management of water resources, water resources development and related technology sharing.
During the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s ongoing China tour, the two sides spoke positively of the signing of the Implementation Plan of the MoU on Exchange of Hydrological Information of the Yarlung Zanbo-Jamuna River.
The Bangladeshi side welcomed Chinese companies to participate in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), a joint statement said.
The two sides agreed to make concerted efforts to tackle climate change and tap the potential for blue economy cooperation.
Bangladesh and China also agreed to strengthen exchanges on maritime affairs and hold a new round of Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation at an appropriate time.
At the invitation of the Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Prof Muhammad Yunus attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan, China on March 26-27.
Then, at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Chief Adviser is now on a visit to Beijing from March 27 to 29.
Chinse President Xi Jinping met Chief Adviser Prof Yunus in Beijing.
Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, met Prof Yunus on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Hainan Province.
Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China also met Prof Yunus in Beijing.
In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest and reached extensive consensus.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus attended the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 and delivered a speech.
The Chinese side welcomed the interim government of Bangladesh led by Prof Yunus and noted the reform and progress made by the interim government since August 2024.
The Bangladesh side thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China for welcoming the Interim Government of Bangladesh and extending necessary support for carry forward bilateral relations.
Both the sides, according to the statement, reconfirmed equal commitment to nurturing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership with utmost importance.
The two sides agreed that since establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and Bangladesh 50 years ago, relations between the two countries have maintained healthy and stable development regardless of changes in the international and regional landscape.
Both the counties agreed to hold fast to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, carry forward their traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust and synergy between development strategies, keep moving forward in the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and deliver greater benefits to the two countries and their peoples.
The two sides reaffirmed their mutual support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns.
China consistently adheres to the principle of noninterference in the internal affairs of other countries, respects Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its national independence, respects the development path independently chosen by the people of Bangladesh and supports Bangladesh in exploring a development path suited to its own national conditions, said the statement.
China has always followed a policy of good neighborliness and friendship toward the people of Bangladesh and supports the Interim Government of Bangladesh in effectively exercising governance, preserving unity and stability in Bangladesh and leading Bangladesh onto a path of development and prosperity.
The two sides stressed that the authority of the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 is beyond any question or challenge. Bangladesh reiterated its firm commitment to the One-China principle and its position that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.
Bangladesh opposed “Taiwan independence.” Bangladesh supports China on issues pertaining to China’s core interests and China’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The two sides agreed to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen international cooperation on industrial and supply chains and work together to achieve modernization in both countries. Bangladesh expressed appreciation for the long-standing and robust support China has been providing for economic and social development in Bangladesh, and spoke highly of the economic and social impact produced by China-Bangladesh cooperation projects of bridges, roads, railways, networks, power grids and sewage treatment.
China will continue to support Bangladesh in improving infrastructure and advancing industrialization, and encourage Chinese companies to conduct investment cooperation with Bangladesh in such fields as textile and garment, clean energy, digital economy, agriculture and manufacturing in accordance with commercial principles and market-based approaches.
Bangladesh welcomes Chinese companies to participate in the Mongla Port Facilities Modernisation and Expansion Project, and stands ready to work with the Chinese side to further develop the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram.
The two sides underscored the importance to initiate negotiations on China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement at an early date and officially start negotiations on optimizing the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement.
The two nations agreed to realise the early export of high-quality products of Bangladesh to China including fresh mangoes and other agricultural and aquatic produce as soon as possible.
China welcomed Bangladesh to make full use of platforms such as the China International Import Expo, China-South Asia Expo, and China International Supply Chain Expo to expand cooperation with China.
Bangladesh reaffirmed its readiness to create a favorable investment environment for Chinese companies.
The two sides agreed to jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the Year of China-Bangladesh People-to-People Exchanges in 2025.
They also agreed to deepen exchanges and cooperation on culture, tourism, media, education, health care and youth, and between local governments and think tanks, to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.
Bangladesh expressed appreciation for the convenience provided by China for Bangladeshi patients to seek medical treatment in Yunnan Province.
Bangladesh commended the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and appreciates the Global Development Initiative.
Bangladesh also took note of the importance of the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Both the sides agreed to strengthen international cooperation, promote unity and self-reliance among the Global South and jointly address global challenges.
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the founding of the United Nations.
According to the statement, both the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, the practice of true multilateralism and greater democracy in international relations.
The two sides will jointly advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
Both the sides agreed to keep strengthening coordination within the U.N. and other multilateral mechanisms and jointly safeguard the common interests of developing countries and uphold international fairness and justice.
Bangladesh appreciated China’s constructive role in promoting peace talks on Myanmar and in promoting the resolution of the issue concerning the forcibly displaced people from the Rakhine State of Myanmar who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
China commended Bangladesh for providing humanitarian assistance for the displaced people from Rakhine State and supported Bangladesh and Myanmar in finding among others a mutually acceptable solution through friendly consultations.
China will continue to provide support for the repatriation to the best of its capabilities, according to the joint statement.
Chief Adviser Yunus expressed his sincere appreciation to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people for the warm hospitality extended to him and the Bangladeshi delegation, and invited the Chinese leadership to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
