China Bangladesh Photo: VCG

From February 25 to March 6, at the invitation of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (IDCPC), a 21-member delegation from Bangladesh, consisting of representatives from political parties, student leaders, scholars, and journalists, visited China. This was the first time the Chinese side invited a large-scale, cross-sectoral delegation from the country for an official visit, which has been described as "a major diplomatic development" in China-Bangladesh relations.

During the visit, several delegation members told the Global Times that the trip had provided them with a firsthand understanding of China's development. They were particularly impressed by China's achievements in technology and infrastructure. Given Bangladesh's current political shifts and socio-economic challenges, they believe that sustaining stable cooperation with China, especially under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), will help build a more stable and prosperous future for their country.

During the delegation's visit to China, Sun Haiyan, vice minister of the IDCPC, held a meeting with the delegation. The delegation visited three places - Beijing, Shaanxi, and Yunnan - where they toured Chinese companies such as BYD, LONGi, and iFlytek, as well as the Yangling Modern Agriculture Demonstration Park Innovation Zone. They also visited a village in Menghai county in Yunnan to observe local grassroot governance and rural industrial development, the Global Times has learned.

The visit came after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Touhid Hossain, adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Bangladesh in January, according to Xinhua.

"The people of China and of Bangladesh have been trusted friends for ages, and such friendly relationship has grown over the years," Abdul Moyeen Khan, head of the delegation and member of the National Standing Committee of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, told the Global Times, noting that this visit is the continuation of this friendship. 

Bangladesh has undergone significant political changes in recent months, making this visit particularly meaningful for both countries, Khan said. 

Although Bangladesh still faces some uncertainties, Khan said he has confidence that China-Bangladesh relations will remain strong, as they are built on people-to-people ties and mutual benefit. He also emphasized that given the complex regional dynamics, Bangladesh will continue to maintain a balanced approach among major regional powers, with stable cooperation with China serving as a key pillar of its balanced diplomacy.

Khan also noted that Bangladesh is currently undergoing a national transformation, and many of its development aspirations align closely with the concept of Chinese modernization. He hopes that China will continue to support Bangladesh's development.

Ali Ahsan Zonaed, a student leader from Bangladesh, told the the Global Times that over the past few days, he and other members visited numerous high-tech enterprises in China, including those in AI, electric vehicles, solar energy, and agricultural technology. He was deeply impressed by China's economic and technological progress. "That is a great journey. Those things I think could help me to know better about the technologies and so how to use them in my country," he said.

Zonaed was most impressed by the degree of China's modernization during the trip.  

"What inspires me the most is the dream the Chinese people have," Zonaed said, noting that he was impressed by the Chinese people's energy and dedication to their country, which motivates him to dream for his own country and to work toward its progress.

Zonaed also noted that young people in Bangladesh generally have a positive impression of China and view it as a close friend. He emphasized that Bangladesh's younger generation believes that all nations, regardless of size, should be treated as equal partners, and no country should attempt to dictate terms or impose an agenda on Bangladesh.

In this regard, he said, China's commitment to non-interference in other countries' internal affairs is particularly valued by young people in Bangladesh. Zonaed also urged other major powers to follow China's example and treat Bangladesh with equal respect.

Lailufar Yasmin, a PhD professor in the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, who is also a member of the delegation, told the Global Times that the visit provided a more comprehensive understanding of China for different political parties and groups in Bangladesh. 

It helped future policymakers gain a deeper understanding of the developments and transformations taking place across China, offering valuable lessons for Bangladesh, Yasmin said. 

Discussing Bangladesh's future and the prospects of China-Bangladesh relations, she emphasized that no matter how Bangladesh's political landscape evolves, the country must establish a stable political environment to drive economic growth. She believes that Bangladesh's future government should continue advancing economic agreements with China, especially the numerous projects under the BRI.

"The BRI is not just about China reaching out to other nations - it also plays a key role in stabilizing international economic environment," Yasmin said, noting that the BRI has had a profound positive impact on Bangladesh in recent years, creating economic opportunities.

The scholar also suggested that Bangladesh should welcome more Chinese enterprises to the country. With its significant demographic dividend and China's increasing focus on expanding overseas, enhanced cooperation could provide Chinese businesses with a stable and well-connected overseas production base while also helping to address employment challenges in Bangladesh. 

"The Bangladesh-China relationship is not shaped or influenced by any third party or major regional or international changes because we have in each other's interests to grow and continue together," Yasmin said.

Khan also told Global Times that people across all sectors in Bangladesh are eager to establish a stable, democratically elected government as soon as possible and to further deepen cooperation with China on this foundation. 

The country has long regarded BRI as a crucial link between Bangladesh and China, he said, adding that strengthening this collaboration will not only benefit large enterprises but also support local small and medium-sized businesses as well as ordinary people. He hopes that in the future, the BRI can help establish a new economic corridor between China and Bangladesh, fostering closer connectivity across South Asia.

Zonaed said that Bangladesh is currently working to rebuild the nation and revitalize its economy, a process that may be long and challenging, but one in which young people will play an active role. In his view, despite differences in national circumstances, Bangladesh can still learn valuable lessons from China's development experience. 

Cooperation with China, particularly in technology and innovation, will help Bangladesh address its current economic challenges, he noted.