Bangladesh welcomes China to participate in Teesta project; ‘Taiwan inalienable part of China,’ Yunus gives ‘firm commitment’

Muhammad Yunus. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Bangladesh on Friday (March 28, 2025) welcomed Chinese participation in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. Bangladesh’s assurance was communicated during the ongoing visit of Chief Advisor Prof Mohammed Yunus to China. The two sides also signed an agreement on exchange of hydrological information of the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna (Brahmaputra). In a joint statement issued after the end of the official discussion, the two sides announced that Bangladesh and China have agreed to start discussion for a Free Trade Agreement “at an early date”.

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“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,” the Joint Statement announced. The two sides also extended support to the “core issues” relevant to both sides and Bangladesh reiterated its support for the “one China policy”. Apart from addressing the Boao Forum annual meeting in Hainan, Prof. Yunus also met President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Prof. Yunus met a group of Chinese traders and investors for a high-level round table at the Presidential Hotel in Beijing on Friday (March 28, 2025.)

“Bangladesh reiterated its firm commitment to the One-China principle and its position that China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory,” the Joint Statement announced. Bangladesh expressed appreciation to China for creating convenient conditions for the treatment of medical tourists from Bangladesh in the Yunnan province of China.  

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“China consistently adheres to the principle of non-interference 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 Joint Statement. Bangladesh has assured China that together they will advocate an “equal and orderly multi-polar world.”

The two sides have also assured that they will start negotiations on optimising the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement. The Joint Statement informed that Bangladesh has welcomed Chinese companies to participate in the Mongla Port Facilities Modernisation and Expansion Project. That apart the two sides stand ready to cooperate in “further” developing the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chittagong.

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2025 is the 50^th anniversary of forming of on bilateral diplomatic relation between Bangladesh and China and the two sides resolved to deepen exchanges on this occasion on “culture, tourism, media, education, health care and youth.” The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in blue economy and announced that they will hold a new round of Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation “at an appropriate time. The visit to China is the first bilateral visit by Prof. Yunus since he became Chief Advisor to the Government of Bangladesh on August 8, 2024. Bangladesh also appreciated China’s role in building peace in Myanmar. In turn, China appreciated Bangladesh for “providing humanitarian assistance for the displaced people from Rakhine State. China also assured Bangladesh that it will support repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar “ to the best of its capabilities.”