Tarique-Li meeting likely today, 15 deals expected

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to hold a key bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang today (June 25) at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where the two countries likely to sign at least 15 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening economic and strategic cooperation.

According to foreign ministry officials, the expected deals include cooperation on the Chinese Economic Zone in Bangladesh, expansion and modernisation of Mongla Port, and green energy projects. The two sides are also expected to discuss the Teesta River Management Project and Bangladesh’s possible participation in China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI).

During the visit, Tarique Rahman is also scheduled to attend the Bangladesh Investment Forum in Beijing, where he is expected to invite Chinese companies to increase investment in Bangladesh, highlighting the country’s political stability and improving business climate.

Several senior Chinese officials and business leaders are expected to meet the prime minister separately, including the heads of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), China EXIM Bank, and the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), along with representatives from major Chinese corporations.

Premier Li Qiang is also expected to host a banquet in honour of the visiting Bangladeshi leader.

On this day, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to meet Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, before holding a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. He is also expected to visit the Museum of the Communist Party of China before returning to Dhaka.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen described the visit as having “historic significance,” saying it could inject fresh momentum into China-Bangladesh relations and strengthen the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

This is Tarique Rahman’s first official visit to China since taking office in February. He arrived in Dalian on June 22 after a two-day visit to Malaysia and attended the World Economic Forum’s Summer Davos Forum before travelling to Beijing by high-speed train.