Bangladesh-China Relations: From War-time Hostility to Strategic Partnership

Abstract

This study asserts that ties between Bangladesh and China have evolved from a state of wartime hostility to a strategic partnership. The political, economic, and military links between Bangladesh and China have been excellent for both countries over the last two decades. The people of these two countries have a long history of friendship and cooperation that dates back hundreds of years. Since Bangladesh and China established diplomatic relations in the mid-1970s, the two nations' connections have only strengthened and expanded. China has signed many agreements with Bangladesh as a development partner, ranging from agriculture to trade, infrastructure, energy, science and technology, and military cooperation. This paper argues that Sino-Indian rival relations and other external factors have transformed Bangladesh-China relations from 1971 to 2022.