Published: 12:33 AM, 14 June 2026
'Dhaka-Beijing ties poised for greater opportunities in next 50 years'
Noting that the story of Bangladesh-China relations extends far beyond the fifty years of formal diplomatic ties, scholars from both countries at a book launching-cum-seminar have said the next fifty years promise even greater opportunities for both nations and for the wider region with vision, patience, and continued cooperation.
Ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's scheduled visit to China later this month, the experts highlighted that understanding history is essential for shaping the future and that the friendship between Bangladesh and China, nurtured over generations, remains a bridge connecting civilizations, economies, and people.
The event marking the formal launching of a book titled "50 Years of Bangladesh-China Relations: Achievements, Challenges & Prospects" was held in city's Baridhara on Friday evening as part of the Cosmos Dialogue hosted by Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, UNB reports.
The seminar was chaired by renowned scholar and Cosmos Foundation President Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury while Catherine Grace Gardner Khan made the formal announcement of the event with her brief remarks.
The book is co-edited by Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan and Professor Imtiaz Ahmed.
Apart from the Chinese scholars, Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, MP, distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and eminent economist Debapriya Bhattacharya, Barrister Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman, MP, Chargé d'Affaires of the High Commission of Singapore in Dhaka Mitchel Lee, Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of China Li Shaopeng, Executive Member (Planning and Development) of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Major General (Retd) Md Nazrul Islam, Director General of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) President Han Kun, and former Deputy Press Secretary of the interim government Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present.
Highlighting the all-weather friendship and strategic partnership that exists between Bangladesh and China, Dr Iftekhar said these are likely to be strengthened during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
He said Chinese investments are most certain to be welcome and that Bangladesh will need to ensure that non-tariff barriers are addressed and administrative procedures are eased.
