Bangladesh, China discuss Myanmar corridor and wider development agenda

Bangladesh and China discussed a proposed corridor through Myanmar and several development projects in Dhaka. The talks highlight Beijing's interest in another route to the Bay of Bengal and deeper bilateral cooperation.Stock photo used for illustrationBangladesh and China on Monday discussed cooperation on a proposed economic corridor linking Bangladesh with Myanmar and China, along with a wider set of issues including infrastructure, energy, human-resource development and economic cooperation, according to a media report.The proposed corridor is aimed at improving connectivity between Bangladesh and south-western China through Myanmar. It is separate from the earlier proposed Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor.The discussions took place at the office of Bangladesh's junior foreign minister Shama Obaed Islam, where she met Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, Bangladesh's state-run BSS news agency reported, citing a foreign ministry press release. The two sides exchanged views on areas of mutual interest and cooperation, particularly the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Chinese Economic Zone and the development of Mongla Port.They also discussed a proposed 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, education and human-resource development, people-to-people exchanges, energy cooperation, including renewable energy, and women's empowerment, the report said. The proposed corridor would potentially give Beijing an additional trade and connectivity route to the Bay of Bengal. During the meeting, the minister recalled Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China and appreciated Beijing's continued support for Bangladesh's development, particularly in infrastructure, human development and capacity building. Yao reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to Dhaka as a "trusted partner and friend" and highlighted what he described as significant progress in bilateral relations in recent years, BSS said.The Chinese ambassador also invited the junior foreign minister to visit China at a mutually convenient time with a delegation of Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs. She welcomed the invitation and expressed appreciation for the initiative, the report added. Overall, the meeting covered the proposed corridor as well as a broader set of development and cooperation issues between the two countries. With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 15, 2026 15:36 IST