The continuous deepening of China–Bangladesh relations is not only a strategic choice to advance modernization and common development, but also a reflection of the growing momentum of Global South cooperation. Amid profound changes in the international landscape, an increasing number of developing countries are placing development at the center of their national strategies and exploring modernization paths suited to their own national conditions rather than following a single external model. The official visit to China by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has not only injected new impetus into bilateral relations in the new era, but has also demonstrated that, for the vast majority of Global South countries, prioritizing development, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and advancing shared modernization are becoming increasingly important choices for responding to profound changes in the international environment, expanding common interests, and enhancing participation in global governance.
I. Development as the Foundation of China–Bangladesh Relations
For a considerable period after the end of the Cold War, international cooperation was largely shaped by security competition and geopolitical considerations, while development issues did not consistently occupy a central position on the global agenda. Since the beginning of the third decade of the twenty-first century, however, sluggish global economic growth, deep restructuring of global industrial and supply chains, and the persistent North–South development gap have once again brought development to the forefront of international attention. Against this backdrop, China and Bangladesh have consistently adhered to the principles of development-first and win-win cooperation, continuously aligning their development strategies and promoting bilateral relations to a higher level. Their cooperation has gradually evolved from traditional project-based collaboration toward strategic coordination in modernization capacity building and development planning. It has increasingly transcended a cooperation model driven primarily by geopolitics and instead formed a new type of development partnership characterized by shared development and shared modernization.
The most distinctive feature of China–Bangladesh relations lies in their long-term strategic continuity and unwavering development orientation. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have upheld the principles of mutual respect and equality, continuously strengthening political mutual trust while expanding cooperation from political exchanges to trade, investment, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. As both countries have advanced their modernization processes, the scope of cooperation has steadily expanded and the level of collaboration has continuously deepened, while consistently adhering to the fundamental philosophy of promoting stability through development and advancing modernization through cooperation. This stable and progressively deepening development logic has not only provided sustained vitality to bilateral relations but also offered valuable experience for mutually beneficial cooperation among Global South countries.
2. From Project-Based Cooperation to Capacity Building
Today, China–Bangladesh cooperation is moving beyond traditional project-based collaboration toward a more comprehensive and higher-level strategic partnership for modernization. Infrastructure development has long been a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation, laying a solid foundation for economic and social development as well as regional connectivity. As the modernization processes of both countries accelerate and development demands continue to evolve, cooperation has gradually expanded into emerging fields such as industrial upgrading, technological innovation, the digital economy, green and low-carbon development, and public governance capacity building.
This transformation signifies a shift from project-driven cooperation to capacity building, from emphasizing physical connectivity to cultivating modernization capabilities, and from focusing primarily on economic growth to promoting coordinated progress in economic, social, technological, and green development. As a result, bilateral cooperation has become more comprehensive in content and deeper in substance, gradually forming a new type of development partnership oriented toward shared modernization and common development.
This transformation carries significant theoretical and practical implications. Modernization in the new era is no longer confined to expanding economic output; rather, it encompasses the restructuring of industrial systems, enhancement of technological self-reliance, sustainable green development, and the improvement of governance systems. While China is advancing Chinese modernization and Bangladesh is implementing its "Bangladesh First" development strategy through different pathways, both countries share highly compatible development philosophies and strategic objectives. This strategic convergence enables China–Bangladesh cooperation to transcend traditional aid or trade relations and evolve into a more stable and endogenous partnership for development.
The continuous improvement of institutional arrangements has provided important guarantees for the stable development of bilateral relations. In recent years, China and Bangladesh have further strengthened high-level exchanges, improved strategic communication mechanisms, and deepened coordination and cooperation in diplomacy, defense, and other areas, gradually institutionalizing and regularizing bilateral relations. These efforts have enhanced the efficiency of policy coordination and practical cooperation while increasing the stability and predictability of bilateral engagement, thereby laying a stronger institutional foundation for long-term cooperation. Meanwhile, people-to-people exchanges in education, youth, media, think tanks, and public health have continued to deepen, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and strengthening the social foundation and public support for bilateral relations.
Viewed from the broader perspective of the Global South's overall development, the demonstrative significance of China–Bangladesh relations has become increasingly evident. Today, more and more developing countries are emphasizing the enhancement of endogenous development capabilities, regarding industrialization, digital transformation, and green transition as key drivers of modernization while actively exploring development paths suited to their own national conditions. China–Bangladesh cooperation aligns with this historical trend by placing greater emphasis on capacity building, industrial development, and modernization, thereby strengthening endogenous growth rather than remaining confined to financial assistance or individual projects. This cooperation model centered on common development, supported by capacity building, and guided by mutual benefit—responds directly to the practical needs of Global South countries pursuing modernization while offering valuable experience for developing countries seeking independent development paths.
As bilateral cooperation continues to deepen, coordination between China and Bangladesh in multilateral affairs has also expanded in both breadth and depth. The two countries firmly support the United Nations-centered international system and the international order based on international law, uphold the multilateral trading system, and actively promote the evolution of global economic governance toward greater fairness, inclusiveness, and shared benefits. They also participate constructively in regional and global governance mechanisms with an open and cooperative approach. Consequently, China–Bangladesh relations have long transcended the bilateral dimension and become an important platform for advancing reforms in global governance and strengthening solidarity among Global South countries.
A review of the development of China–Bangladesh relations reveals a clear and consistent trajectory. From the continuous strengthening of political mutual trust, to the deepening of economic and trade cooperation, and further to the alignment of development strategies, bilateral cooperation has steadily advanced to higher levels. Grounded in the shared principles of development-first and win-win cooperation, China–Bangladesh relations are entering a new stage distinguished by shared modernization, with development cooperation gradually becoming not merely an important component of bilateral relations but the core driving force underpinning their long-term stability and prosperity.
Against the backdrop of profound adjustments in the international order and the collective rise of the Global South, the significance of China–Bangladesh relations has already transcended the bilateral level. They not only respond to the practical needs of modernization in both countries but also reflect the common aspiration of developing countries to pursue independent development paths and innovate models of international cooperation. By upholding mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and openness, China and Bangladesh have realized common development through cooperation, a vision that closely aligns with the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Their partnership also demonstrates the broad prospects for Global South countries to jointly address common challenges and promote shared prosperity.
Looking ahead, the vitality of international cooperation lies not in constructing exclusive and confrontational blocs, but in continuously expanding common interests and providing more public goods that promote development. Likewise, the stability of the international order depends not merely on shifts in the balance of power, but more fundamentally on the deep integration of development interests and the sustained advancement of shared development. Decades of China–Bangladesh cooperation have demonstrated that prioritizing development, pursuing win-win cooperation, and advancing shared modernization not only provide a solid foundation for the long-term growth of bilateral relations but also offer valuable insights for Global South countries seeking to deepen cooperation, improve global governance, and promote a more just and equitable international order.
Prof. Dr. He Hongmei
Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies
Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, China.
