China seeks stronger political, economic ties with Bangladesh: Liu

China wants to deepen its strategic partnership with Bangladesh through stronger political engagement, expanded economic cooperation and greater people-to-people exchanges, Liu Haixing, minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said today (4 November).

Addressing a seminar in Dhaka as the keynote speaker, Liu said the two countries should strengthen cooperation across various sectors and work together to build a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era.

He made the remarks at a seminar titled “Where History Illuminates the Future: China-Bangladesh ‘Political Parties Plus’ Roundtable and Inauguration Ceremony of Bangladesh-China Centre for Party and State Governance Studies,” organised by the Chinese Embassy at a city hotel.

Liu said the two countries had made significant progress in bilateral relations over the past five decades, particularly in trade, infrastructure development and people-to-people exchanges.

He noted that bilateral trade had increased from around $15 million to more than $23 billion over the past five decades, while Bangladesh had become the first South Asian country to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative cooperation.

Several Chinese-supported infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges and tunnels, had contributed to Bangladesh’s economic and social development, he said.

Liu also highlighted ongoing cooperation in projects such as the Mongla Port Industrial Park and the comprehensive treatment and restoration of the Teesta River, expressing hope that these initiatives would bring further benefits to the people of both countries.

He recalled China’s earlier proposal to establish a Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, saying President Xi Jinping had raised the initiative during a previous meeting with a Bangladeshi prime minister.

Liu said China was also willing to import more quality products from Bangladesh as its economy continued to grow and open further to the outside world.

“We must light the way for each other and jointly build a path of development,” he added.

Call for stronger people-to-people ties

“China-Bangladesh friendship is not an undertaking of a small number of people, but a consensus across all sectors of our societies. That is what makes it so precious,” Liu said.

Describing people-to-people exchanges as the foundation of state-to-state relations, he called for expanding cooperation in education, culture, sports and tourism.

He said the two countries should also strengthen exchanges among political parties, young leaders, business communities, media organisations and think tanks.

Liu congratulated Bangladesh on the inauguration of the Bangladesh-China Centre for Party and State Governance Studies, expressing hope that the institution would promote mutual learning and a better understanding of governance systems in the two countries.

He said the centre could play an important role in facilitating exchanges between political parties and other stakeholders, contributing to closer bilateral relations.

The Chinese official also emphasised the importance of cooperation between the younger generations of the two countries, saying they had a historic responsibility to carry forward the friendship established by earlier generations.

Closer cooperation in international affairs

Liu called for closer coordination between China and Bangladesh in international affairs, particularly through multilateral platforms such as the United Nations.

He said the international situation was undergoing profound changes, with rising unilateralism, power politics and regional conflicts making cooperation among peace-loving countries increasingly important.

China and Bangladesh should work together to promote a multipolar world, inclusive economic globalisation and the legitimate interests of developing countries, particularly those in the Global South, he added.

“We must stay firmly on course and jointly build a path of trust,” Liu said.

“Amid profound changes unseen in a century, it is all the more important for us to follow the guidance of our leaders, and firmly respect, understand and support one another on issues bearing on each other’s core interests and major concerns.”

Liu also outlined China’s economic progress, saying the country was transitioning towards higher-quality growth driven by high-end manufacturing, artificial intelligence and modern services.

He said China remained committed to strengthening exchanges with Bangladesh’s political parties on governance experience and development strategies.

The International Department of the CPC Central Committee, which marks its 75th anniversary this year, maintains regular engagement with 816 political parties and 18 political organisations across 173 countries, he said.

Liu said the department had maintained friendly relations with major political parties in Bangladesh, regardless of whether they were in or out of government.

He expressed confidence that stronger political engagement, mutual understanding and cooperation among the two countries’ younger generations would help take bilateral relations to a new level.