DHAKA, July 2, 2026 (BSS)- Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China as a "complete success", saying it marked a milestone in bilateral relations and elevated Bangladesh-China ties to a new strategic height.

Addressing a press briefing at the Chinese Embassy here, the ambassador said the Prime Minister's June 22-26 visit had injected strong momentum into bilateral relations and laid a solid foundation for the next phase of Bangladesh-China cooperation.

"It's a complete success. It's a milestone in Bangladesh-China relations which reached a new strategic height," Yao told reporters.

The envoy said the visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first to China since assuming office, was also the first formal meeting between the leaders of the two countries following the formation of Bangladesh's new government.

During the visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji.

The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest, witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents and issued a Joint Communiqué.

Yao said the most significant outcome of the visit was the decision to elevate the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to jointly build a China-Bangladesh Community with a shared future in the new era, describing it as the highest level of China's relations with its friendly neighbours in Asia.

He said the two countries also agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen cooperation among governments, legislative bodies and political parties, establish a strategic dialogue mechanism between the two foreign ministers and explore a "2+2" dialogue mechanism covering diplomacy and defence.

Quoting President Xi Jinping, Yao said: "China has all along attached great importance to the development of China-Bangladesh relations and stayed true to the policy of good-neighborliness and friendship toward all the people of Bangladesh. No matter how the world changes, China will not waver in its commitment to the overall direction of China-Bangladesh friendly relations, and will always be a trustworthy good friend, good neighbor and good partner of Bangladesh."

The ambassador said the visit forged a new level of strategic trust, with both countries reaffirming support for each other's core interests and major concerns.

He said China reiterated its support for Bangladesh's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and expressed support for the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

According to Yao, China also became the first country to include support for Bangladesh's "Bangladesh Before All" policy in an official bilateral document.

On its part, Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to the ‘One-China’ principle and opposition to any form of Taiwan independence.

Highlighting economic cooperation, the ambassador said the two countries agreed to promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), align their development strategies and expand cooperation in green development, digital economy, information technology, artificial intelligence, trade, finance, health, education and culture.

He said Bangladesh also announced the establishment of its first overseas investment office in China to facilitate greater investment cooperation.

During the visit, Bangladesh and China signed 17 bilateral instruments, including agreements, memorandums of understanding (MoUs), a joint action plan and an agricultural trade protocol, covering cooperation in development, investment, trade, ports, industrial zones, media, education, vocational training, green development and export promotion.

The agreements include development cooperation, the expansion and modernisation of Mongla Port facilities, development of the Chattogram Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), the China-Bangladesh Mongla Port Economic Zone, implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), investment cooperation, vocational education, Chinese language education, and media cooperation involving China Media Group (CMG), Xinhua News Agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Bangladesh Television (BTV) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Yao also welcomed the signing of the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for the export of fresh jackfruit from Bangladesh to China, saying Bangladeshi jackfruit would enter the Chinese market following the successful export of mangoes.

Referring to the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), the ambassador reaffirmed China's continued commitment to supporting the initiative.

"Let me make one point very clear. China's commitment to the Teesta River project remains unchanged. China will continue to provide support and assistance within its capacity for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and support experts from both countries in expediting the feasibility study and related work," he said.

"Teesta is a Bangladesh project. It's your project," he added.

Responding to a question, Yao said the proposal for a Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor was not new, recalling that discussions on the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor had begun around 15 years ago but failed to make progress.

He said China remains committed to advancing the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor to promote broader regional cooperation and remains open to India and other countries joining the initiative if they so decide.

Describing the proposed corridor as a new strategic opportunity for Bangladesh, he said the two countries also agreed to explore broader regional connectivity initiatives, including direct connectivity between China and Bangladesh.

On defence cooperation, Yao said Bangladesh-China cooperation is comprehensive and defence cooperation forms part of the overall bilateral relationship, but declined to comment on any specific defence procurement.

The ambassador said the two countries also agreed to uphold the United Nations-centred international system, support a more equitable international order and strengthen cooperation among Global South countries.

He added that China supports Bangladesh in playing a greater role in the United Nations, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Concluding his remarks, Yao expressed optimism over the future of bilateral ties, saying, "Hon'ble Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit has opened a new chapter in China-Bangladesh friendship."

Director at the Chinese Embassy Zhang Jing and Counsellor Song Yang were also present at the briefing.

Tarique Rahman returned home from Beijing on Friday (June 26) after wrapping up his first overseas tour as the Prime Minister, which included official visits to Malaysia and China.