Bangladesh and China have reached a series of new agreements aimed at expanding trade, investment, education, media cooperation and human resource development, marking what officials described as a new milestone in relations between the two countries.
The agreements were reached during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s short visit to Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese premier. Rahman was also expected to meet the Chinese president during the visit.
Officials said the discussions included a Joint Action Plan to increase Bangladesh’s export capacity to China. A memorandum of understanding was signed on concessional loans, with a focus on lowering interest rates and extending grace periods for Bangladesh.
Two separate memorandums of understanding were also signed to increase Chinese investment in economic zones in Anwara, Chittagong, and Mongla. Officials said the agreements are intended to support new Chinese factories and production facilities in Bangladesh while creating jobs.
“Two separate MoUs have been signed on how to increase investment in our Chittagong’s Anwara and Mongla, how we can build new Chinese factories, Chinese production facilities through economic zones there, and generate employment through that,” an official said.
Another agreement focused on exporting Bangladesh’s national fruit, jackfruit, to China.
“An MoU has been signed regarding the export of our national fruit jackfruit from Bangladesh,” the official said.
Education and human resource development were also central to the visit. Officials said Mandarin will be introduced in Bangladesh’s school curriculum as part of broader cooperation with China.
“At the same time, we are going to start the Chinese language Mandarin in Bangladesh, in our school curriculum,” the official said.
Under China’s Global Development Initiative, agreements were also reached on health, education and manpower capacity development. Two additional memorandums of understanding focused on technical and vocational education, along with a separate cooperation plan for human resource development.
The two sides also reached four agreements to expand cooperation between media organizations, think tanks, state television channels and newspapers.
Officials framed the visit as a continuation of Bangladesh’s historical relationship with China.
“In the coming days, we will be able to take our historical relationship with China, which was established by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia, one step further,” the official said.