Xi backs Bangladesh sovereignty as Rahman seals 13 China deals

Beijing,UPDATED: Jun 26, 2026 19:00 IST

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday voiced Beijing's support for Bangladesh in protecting its sovereignty and "rejecting foreign interference" during talks in Beijing with visiting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Xi also said China backed Rahman's government, which took office in February, and was ready to work with Dhaka on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and closer alignment of development strategies, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry press release.

The meeting capped Rahman's five-day visit to China, during which the two sides discussed trade, investment, education, river management and wider regional cooperation. Xi also proposed an economic corridor linking Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, while Chinese officials sought to play down concerns over Beijing's role in the Teesta river project.

"China supports Bangladesh in upholding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejecting foreign interference," Xi told Rahman, who ended his visit on Friday. "No matter how the world changes, China will not waver in its commitment to the overall direction of China-Bangladesh friendly relations", he said.

Xi said China supported the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor to improve regional connectivity. The proposed corridor is a shorter version of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, put forward by Beijing in 2013, which did not move ahead.

Rahman had chosen Malaysia for his first foreign visit after taking office. From Kuala Lumpur, he travelled to the Chinese city of Dalian on June 22, where he attended a World Economic Forum event and pitched for Chinese investment. He arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, the final leg of his tour, and held meetings over two days with senior Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang.

On Thursday, Rahman was given a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People by Premier Li. The two sides then held delegation-level talks and signed 13 memoranda of understanding covering areas such as trade, investment and education.

Rahman also met Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying earlier on Thursday, and the two countries agreed to step up cooperation on Teesta river management and other river projects. The Teesta flows from the eastern Himalayas through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh, where it is important for irrigation and livelihoods. The river basin lies near India's Siliguri Corridor, the narrow stretch linking the mainland to the northeastern states.

China, however, played down any concern over the project. "The comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation of the Teesta River is a livelihood project the Bangladeshi side attaches high importance to," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a media briefing in response to a question on possible concerns in New Delhi. "China is ready to do what it can to support this project. I would like to stress that China-Bangladesh cooperation does not target any third party and should be free from third party influence", he said.

Guo said the two sides exchanged views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. He said broad-based common understandings and a series of practical cooperation outcomes had been achieved, creating new strategic planning for the development of China-Bangladesh relations.

Rahman told Xi that China held an important place in Bangladesh's foreign policy and was a valued and trusted partner. He said Bangladesh remained firmly committed to the one-China principle, recognised Taiwan as an integral part of China's territory and opposed any form of "Taiwan independence". According to the Chinese press release, Bangladesh also fully supported Xi's global initiatives and was ready to strengthen coordination and collaboration with China on international and regional affairs.

Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the Bangladesh prime minister's office, separately told the media that the two leaders discussed Chinese support for modernising Chittagong and Mongla sea ports. "We want to work on how this port can be developed into a regional hub that will serve not only Bangladesh but also other countries," Amin said, without naming any country.

Amin also said that, for the first time, Bangladesh and China had reached an understanding on a "2+2 dialogue" involving foreign affairs and defence, according to the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency. He said officials from the foreign and defence ministries of both countries would hold regular talks in future, and details were being worked out. There was, however, no reference to a tripartite dialogue involving Pakistan, China and Bangladesh that had been initiated during the previous Muhammad Yunus-led interim regime.

In another development, Amin said Mandarin was being prioritised as a third language in Bangladesh's education system, along with technical and vocational education. Dhaka has also sought China's help to build hospitals and ease visa rules for Bangladeshis seeking treatment in Chinese cities such as Kunming. On Bangladesh's interest in joining BRICS, Amin said China had welcomed Dhaka's future application for membership.

Overall, the visit saw Bangladesh and China widen discussions on connectivity, investment, river projects, port modernisation, defence and diplomatic engagement, with Xi reaffirming support for Dhaka and both sides outlining areas for closer cooperation.

With PTI Inputs

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