Dimensions of Bangladesh-China Relationship
Map 1: Southern Silk Road
Source: https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/2013/10/23/bcim-rally_2310.jpg In this milieu, during her visit to China in March 2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized over China’s contribution to the construction of a deep seaport in Chittagong, facilitating Chittagong-Kunming road connection through Myanmar as well.59
Defense and Military Dimension
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Bangladesh has had close cooperation in military field. Under the regime of President Ziaur
Noor Mohammad Sarker Bangladesh-China Relationship 85
57The Financial Express, “China offers to help build nuclear power plant,” February 16, 2009.
58Supra note 11.
59Gulf Times, “China agrees to help in port expansion,” March 22, 2010; The Daily Star, “China keen on road, rail links,” August 30, 2010; see also, The Financial Express, “Dipu Moni for quick execution for Kunming Initiatives,” November 22, 2010.
Rahman, Bangladesh and China came very close in strategic cooperation.60The leaders of the two armed forces have exchanged visits frequently, which have contributed to the continuous development of friendship and cooperation between the two armed forces. So far, Bangladesh has entered into a long-term defense agreement with China.61The main areas of cooperation in this sector have been the supply of armaments, military hardware and special equipment.
The parties would cooperate in safeguarding, technical servicing and modernization of the above. There had also been cooperation in licensing the production of military hardware, training of technical personnel and exchange of relevant intelligence and data.62
China has been a major supplier of defense materials to Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Armyhas been equipped with Chinese tanks, its navyhas Chinese frigates and missile boats and the Bangladesh Air Forceflies Chinese fighter jets, such as 16 F-7 BG fighter planes. In 2002, China and Bangladesh signed a
“Defense Cooperation Agreement” which covers military training and defense production. It was the first such agreement signed by Bangladesh with any country.63
However, China donated police equipment to Bangladesh as a part of the cooperative exertion between the Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Public Security of China in 2006.64During Bangladesh Minister of State for Home Affair’s visit to China, both countries agreed to strengthen bilateral law enforcement cooperation.65In addition, China and Bangladesh have been considering an advanced mutual collaboration for the additional accompaniment of their individual contributions to UN Peacekeeping Missions.66
Science and Technological Dimension
In March 1978, Bangladesh and China signed the ‘Agreement of Cooperation on Science and Technology.’ It was renewed in 1990. In between 1979 and 1991, the two countries held five meetings about bilateral cooperation on science and technology. In this regard, achievements had been attained in the following days about the bilateral cooperation on flood control and regulation of rivers.
60Supra note 34.
61Supra note 1.
62Nazmul Ashraf, “Dhka-Beijing deal no threat to India,” Gulf News, December 29, 2002.
63Supra note 3 & 45.
64People’s Daily, “China donates police equipment to Bangladesh,” March 23, 2006.
65Xinhua, “China-Bangladesh agree to deepen law-enforcement,” April 25, 2006.
66Supra note 11.
In fact, officials and experts from the water conservancy departments of the two countries exchanged frequent visits and signed an MOU about the technological support on water conservancy, which included dike arrangement and sectional design for the Brahmaputra River, regulating the River’s watercourses and undertaking joint research on the issue.67
Besides, to make the flood forecasting system in Bangladesh more effective, China has been providing hydrological data from the upstream of its YarlungzangboRiver. In this milieu, Bangladesh remains as a stakeholder in the
‘Small Multi-mission Satellite’ being developed by China National Space Administration. Two countries also agreed to cooperate in developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, especially to meet up the rising demand for power in Bangladesh.68
Educational and Cultural Dimension
Two countries have always been maintaining an excellent range of cooperation in the areas of education and culture. Since 1976, Bangladesh and China started student-exchange program. In 2001, for example, 58 Bangladeshi students were pursuing their studies in China.69In 1986, the then Bangladesh government allocated funds to construct the first experimental primary school in Beijing.
The school was named ‘Sino-Bangladesh Friendship School’.Later, the Chinese Government has also increased scholarship quota for Bangladeshi students from 50 to 80 on an annual basis.70
In November 1979, Bangladesh and China signed an agreement of cooperation on culture. Following the signing of the agreement, bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture and sports have been constantly strengthened over time. A group of cultural representatives from Bangladesh visited China in 1997. Within a year, there were 18 bilateral visits in total between the two countries, comprised of 97 personnel. During 1998, China Hangzhou Youth Acrobatic Troupe visited Bangladesh. Afterward, the two countries again exchanged 7 visits, including 47 personnel.71
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67Supra note 14; see also, Economic and Commerce Counselor’s Office Of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, “Cooperation in Science and Technology,” at: http://bd2.mofcom.gov.cn/sys/print.shtml?/bilateralcooperation/inbrief/
200705/20070504675608, accessed January 6, 2014.
68Supra note 11.
69 CNN, “China assures Bangladesh of friendship,” January 12, 2002, at:
http://articles.cnn.com/2002-01-12/world/china.bangladesh_1_bangladesh-capital-dhaka-chinese-premier-zhu-rongji?_s=PM:asiapcf, accessed October 5, 2013.
70Supra note 28.
71Ibid.
While experiencing the different cultural features, the two countries have also witnessed the development of bilateral cooperation in tourism sector over the years. For instance, in 2005, Bangladesh was awarded the Approved Destination Status (ADS) for Chinese tourists. Following this, the two countries signed an MOU to facilitate the ‘Group Visits’ by Chinese tourists to Bangladesh. Moreover, the number of Bangladeshi tourists visiting China has also increased significantly following the inauguration of direct flights between Dhaka and Beijing.
On the other hand, efforts have also been made by the Chinese government to draw attention to Bangladesh as a popular destination among the Chinese tourists. In addition, the national tourism organization of Bangladesh and the private sector tour service providers have been establishing business contacts with their Chinese counterparts. Over the years, they have also been actively participating in different tourism and travel fairs, being held in China.72 Therefore, cooperation in tourism sector also significantly contributing to the economy of both the countries.