Desk Report:
Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)—currently visiting Bangladesh—paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting took place on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
During the meeting, Liu Haixing conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In response, the Prime Minister extended his own greetings to President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
The discussion focused on further strengthening the historic, friendly relations between Bangladesh and China, as well as expanding new areas of bilateral cooperation. Liu Haixing noted that a joint declaration was issued during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Beijing, marking the beginning of a new era in the future relationship between the two nations. He expressed optimism that mutual cooperation would expand further based on this declaration.
He affirmed that China’s support for Bangladesh’s development and progress would continue, emphasizing that China’s commitment to Bangladesh remains steadfast. He also expressed confidence in the potential for Bangladesh’s economic growth and development under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remarked that the foundation of the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and China was laid during the tenure of the late President Ziaur Rahman. For a long time, this relationship has held a special place in the hearts of the people of both countries. He stressed that it is a collective responsibility to maintain this historic bond and pass it on to future generations, expressing hope that the tradition of friendship and cooperation between the two nations will be further solidified by the new generation.
The meeting also touched upon the development of Bangladesh’s agriculture and environment. The Prime Minister recalled that following former President Ziaur Rahman’s visit to China, a canal-digging program was initiated in Bangladesh; the program gained widespread popularity and made a significant contribution to agricultural development. The current government has also undertaken an initiative to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals. This program is expected to benefit farmers and the general public, while also contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of environmental balance.
Both sides also emphasized the importance of enhancing communication and cooperation between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China. Liu Haixing expressed China’s interest in broadening and diversifying the relationship between the two parties. He extended an invitation for a delegation, led by the BNP Secretary General, to visit China.
Additionally, the meeting covered the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and the potential inclusion of Bangladesh in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Liu Haixing conveyed China’s support for Bangladesh in these areas.
During the meeting, Tarique Rahman highlighted the strain placed on Bangladesh’s economy, society, demographics, and environment by the presence of 1.3 million Rohingya refugees who have been in the country for a long time. He sought China’s cooperation in resolving this crisis. In response, Liu Haixing stated that China is aware of the Rohingya crisis and assured that he would convey the concerns of the Bangladeshi leadership to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The meeting placed special emphasis on the continuation of China’s support for Bangladesh’s development, as well as the enhancement of engagement between the political parties and the peoples of the two nations.
Present at the meeting were BNP National Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan; Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi; Vice Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury; and Shama Obaid Islam, who oversees foreign affairs.
Accompanying Liu Haixing were Dr. Liu Yuyin, Chargé d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh; Peng Xiubin, Director General of the Bureau for Southeast and South Asian Affairs under the International Department of the Communist Party of China; and other senior officials.
