Bangladesh is expected to seek greater Chinese investment, enhanced economic cooperation and stronger strategic engagement during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming state visit to China, a trip that is being viewed as one of the most significant foreign policy engagements of the new government.
The four-day visit, scheduled for June 23-26, is expected to focus on a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including Chinese investment, concessional financing, renewable energy, the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the proposed Teesta Barrage project, defence cooperation, the Rohingya crisis and the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar.
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Beijing said the visit will provide an opportunity for both countries to elevate their relationship to a new level at a time of shifting geopolitical realities in Asia and growing economic challenges facing Bangladesh.
The visit will be Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first official trip to China since assuming office on February 17, 2026. During the visit, he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders on political, economic, strategic and cultural cooperation.
Officials familiar with the preparations said Dhaka intends to use the visit to secure greater Chinese involvement in Bangladesh’s development agenda, particularly in infrastructure, energy, industrialisation and trade diversification.
The visit comes at a crucial moment for Bangladesh’s economy as the country seeks to sustain growth, attract foreign investment and prepare for its post-Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation challenges. Policymakers believe deeper engagement with China, the world’s second-largest economy, could help support these objectives through increased investment and technology transfer.
According to government sources, Bangladesh will seek a comprehensive economic package from Beijing, including new investment commitments, soft loans and expanded market access for Bangladeshi products. Officials are also expected to discuss ways to reduce the large trade imbalance between the two countries.
China remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner. However, bilateral trade continues to be heavily tilted in Beijing’s favour. Bangladesh imports a vast range of industrial raw materials, machinery and consumer goods from China while its exports to the Chinese market remain comparatively modest.
The trade gap has prompted Dhaka to encourage greater Chinese investment in export-oriented industries within Bangladesh. Officials believe increased Chinese manufacturing investments could help generate employment, strengthen industrial capacity and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
One of the major issues likely to dominate the discussions is the future of the Belt and Road Initiative. Bangladesh formally joined the BRI in 2016, opening the door to large-scale cooperation in infrastructure, energy and connectivity projects.
Over the past decade, Chinese participation has played a significant role in several major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, including bridges, tunnels, power plants and transport networks. Chinese companies have also become increasingly involved in industrial and energy development projects.
Business leaders say the next phase of BRI cooperation is expected to focus more on sustainability, joint financing and private-sector participation rather than relying solely on government borrowing.
According to officials, Bangladesh is likely to seek greater Chinese support for renewable energy projects as it attempts to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable energy development has emerged as a key priority as Bangladesh pursues its climate commitments while meeting rising electricity demand.
The long-delayed Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram is also expected to feature prominently in the talks.
The industrial zone, planned on nearly 783 acres of land in Anwara under a government-to-government arrangement, has long been viewed as one of the flagship projects in Bangladesh-China economic cooperation. Despite its considerable investment potential, progress has remained slow due to delays in finalising development agreements.
Bangladesh is expected to urge Beijing to expedite implementation of the project, which officials believe could attract billions of dollars in investment and create thousands of jobs.
Economic planners view the zone as a strategic platform for attracting Chinese manufacturers seeking alternative production bases amid changing global supply chains.
Another important issue likely to receive attention is the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and China.
Chinese officials and business leaders have repeatedly expressed support for an FTA, arguing that it could significantly expand bilateral trade and investment. Bangladeshi policymakers are currently examining the potential benefits and challenges of such an agreement, particularly in the context of the country’s upcoming graduation from LDC status.
Supporters argue that an FTA could reduce tariffs, lower import costs, improve industrial competitiveness and facilitate greater Chinese investment. Critics, however, caution that Bangladesh must carefully evaluate the implications for domestic industries before entering into any comprehensive trade arrangement.
Regional security and geopolitical developments are also expected to feature in the discussions.
The ongoing civil war in Myanmar and the prolonged Rohingya refugee crisis continue to pose major challenges for Bangladesh. With more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingyas residing in camps in Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka has repeatedly sought stronger international support for a sustainable solution.
Officials said Bangladesh is expected to request a more active Chinese role in facilitating conditions conducive to the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
Given China's influence in Myanmar and its close ties with the country's authorities, Bangladeshi policymakers believe Beijing can play a constructive role in advancing efforts to resolve the crisis.
The deteriorating security situation in Myanmar has also affected regional stability and border security, adding urgency to diplomatic efforts.
The proposed Teesta Barrage and broader water management cooperation may also arise during the visit. Bangladesh has increasingly sought international support for major water infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening climate resilience, irrigation capacity and water security.
Observers note that China's extensive experience in large-scale hydraulic engineering projects could make it an important development partner in this sector.
Defence cooperation is another area where Bangladesh and China maintain longstanding ties. China remains a major supplier of military equipment to Bangladesh, and discussions may include future cooperation in defence technology, training and capacity-building.
However, Bangladeshi officials continue to emphasise that Dhaka's foreign policy remains guided by balanced relations with all major powers.
A senior foreign ministry official said Bangladesh intends to maintain constructive engagement with China, India and the United States simultaneously.
“Bangladesh has interests with all major partners, and it is important for us to maintain balanced and mutually beneficial relations with all of them,” the official said.
Analysts believe this balanced approach has become increasingly important as geopolitical competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific region.
The visit also takes place against a backdrop of evolving global dynamics, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, continuing instability in the Middle East and changing economic priorities among major powers.
Diplomatic observers argue that these developments make economic diversification and strategic partnerships increasingly important for developing countries such as Bangladesh.
China has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s most important development partners over the past two decades. According to official data, Beijing has committed billions of dollars in loans, grants and development assistance for infrastructure, energy and connectivity projects.
Chinese financing currently accounts for a significant share of Bangladesh’s external development portfolio, making China one of the country's leading bilateral lenders.
At the same time, Bangladesh has taken steps to deepen financial cooperation with China. In recent years, authorities have expanded the use of the Chinese yuan in trade settlements as part of efforts to reduce dependence on the US dollar and ease pressure on foreign currency reserves.
Officials say such measures could help improve trade efficiency and provide greater flexibility in managing external transactions.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has repeatedly highlighted the importance of strengthening economic connectivity, industrial cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
He has also expressed support for accelerating major projects, including the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone, while advocating closer collaboration under the Belt and Road framework.
Diplomatic sources said the upcoming visit is expected to produce several agreements, memoranda of understanding and investment announcements covering a range of sectors.
Beyond economic outcomes, officials view the visit as an opportunity to reinforce political trust and deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
As Bangladesh seeks new sources of investment and economic growth while navigating a complex regional environment, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first official visit to China is widely expected to shape the trajectory of Bangladesh-China relations for years to come.
For both Dhaka and Beijing, the visit represents more than a routine diplomatic engagement. It reflects a shared interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy and regional stability at a time when economic and geopolitical uncertainties are reshaping the international landscape.
