Dhaka: Bangladesh and China on Sunday discussed cooperation on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration, the early launching of a Foreign Minister-level Strategic Dialogue, and the beginning of State Minister-level Diplomacy and Defense Dialogue. 'We have not fixed any specific dates as such yet. However, discussions will take place at that level,' State Minister-1 for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that groundwork is underway for the Bangladesh-China 2+2 dialogue and it is expected to begin at a mutually convenient time in the near future.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the two countries discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including initiating the process for the export of jackfruit and guava from Bangladesh to China, the China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and cooperation on the Rohingya issue. The issues came up during a courtesy meeting between Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and the State Minister-1 for Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Kobir said the 2+2 dialogue represents one of the highest levels of strategic cooperation with China, covering foreign policy and defence cooperation. 'Look, regarding China's 2+2 dialogue... As we have previously made you aware, this represents one of the highest levels of strategic cooperation with China,' he said. 'When a bilateral relationship reaches this stage, initiatives like the 2+2 approach, along with the shared community approach they pursue, naturally come to the table,' he added.
The State Minister said the proposed dialogue reflects Bangladesh's growing geopolitical importance and China's interest in deepening strategic engagement with Dhaka. 'The 2+2 dialogue underscores the visibility of Bangladesh today. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his government, Bangladesh is a country of high visibility and importance to various global stakeholders,' Kobir said. He said the development demonstrates the importance of Bangladesh's geopolitical position and the government's vision under an elected government.
During the meeting, State Minister Kobir described China as a trusted friend and valued strategic partner of Bangladesh and reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to the One China Policy. He expressed satisfaction with the renewed momentum in bilateral relations and the elevation of Bangladesh-China ties to a 'China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future' following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent successful visit to China.
Ambassador Yao Wen congratulated State Minister Kobir on his assumption of office and sought his support to further advance the longstanding and close relationship between Bangladesh and China. He also conveyed felicitations from China's Executive Deputy Foreign Minister to State Minister Kobir. Ambassador Wen briefed the State Minister on developments concerning the outcomes of the Prime Minister's recent visit to China, including the groundbreaking of the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), the signing of a commercial contract for the modernisation of Mongla Port, and possible cooperation on the establishment of a Mongla Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
He noted that the CEIZ is expected to attract around 30 Chinese companies with an investment of approximately US$500 million, creating an estimated 100,000 job opportunities for local Bangladeshis. Ambassador Wen further briefed State Minister Kobir on upcoming high-level exchanges and visits, including the planned visits to Bangladesh by the Vice President of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), the Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), and the Executive Vice Governor of Yunnan Province.
The Chinese Ambassador also extended an invitation to State Minister-1 Kobir to visit China in October this year.