Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced that China will provide $1 billion in economic assistance to Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud revealed during a media briefing. Premier Li emphasized the importance of the relationship with Bangladesh and expressed a desire to elevate bilateral ties to a new level.
In a cordial discussion, Premier Li and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud addressed various bilateral issues. Premier Li reminisced about the historical relationship initiated by the visits of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1952 and 1957, and noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s six visits have further solidified these ties.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina invited Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li, and other officials to visit Bangladesh next year to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both leaders stressed the importance of commemorating this golden jubilee in a fitting manner.
Prime Minister Hasina also sought Chinese cooperation to address the Rohingya crisis and emphasized the need to reduce the trade gap with China. In response, Premier Li expressed an intention to import more Bangladeshi products, including leather goods, jute products, pharmaceuticals, and ceramics.
Additionally, both nations agreed to collaborate in promoting world peace and upholding humanitarian values. Prime Minister Hasina invited more Chinese investments in Bangladesh’s 100 special economic zones and the Bangabandhu Industrial Park, highlighting that a specific export processing zone has been allocated for Chinese investors.
Sheikh Hasina also discussed Bangladesh’s inclusion in BRICS and received assurance of Chinese support for this initiative. She requested China’s cooperation to ensure that Bangladesh continues to enjoy Least Developed Country (LDC) facilities for at least three more years after its official graduation to a Middle Income Country in 2026, to which the Chinese premier responded positively.
