From Witnessing China’s Rise to Building a Shared Future

By Lt. Col. (Retd.) Md. Shahadat Hossain, psc

Every October 1, China celebrates its National Day. In 2026, the People’s Republic of China will mark its 77th anniversary. For me, however, China’s National Day is more than a national celebration. It is an opportunity to reflect on a country whose transformation I have witnessed closely for nearly four decades—and on what that transformation can mean for Bangladesh.

I first arrived in Beijing in September 1988 as a Chinese-language student at Beijing Language and Culture University, at a time when China was deepening its reform and opening-up. The China I encountered then and the China I see today are remarkably different.

Mao Zedong laid the foundation of the People’s Republic. Deng Xiaoping’s reform and opening-up unleashed enormous economic potential. Jiang Zemin, Zhu Rongji, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping, together with generations of Chinese officials, scientists, entrepreneurs, PLA personnel and ordinary citizens, continued that national transformation.

The results are visible in China’s infrastructure, manufacturing, high-speed rail, ports, digital economy, renewable energy and artificial intelligence. China’s GDP grew by 5 percent in 2025, reaching more than 140 trillion yuan. China’s official 2025 economic data

But statistics alone cannot explain China’s rise.

I have travelled through many parts of China—from Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen to Guangzhou, Kunming, Xi’an, Chongqing, Harbin, Hainan and Guizhou, as well as commercial centres such as Yiwu and Wenzhou. I have seen extraordinary changes in cities and infrastructure, but I have also observed the aspirations, discipline and hard work of ordinary Chinese people.

My understanding of China was further shaped by my professional experiences. As an interpreter, I had opportunities to work with senior Chinese leaders, including Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji, and to interact with senior PLA personalities. Later, while serving as a UN military observer and team leader, I worked with international peacekeeping personnel, including Chinese colleagues.

These experiences taught me that China’s development is not simply an economic story. It is also a story of long-term planning, human-resource development, institutional continuity and national confidence.

A new chapter for Bangladesh-China relations

Bangladesh and China established diplomatic relations in 1975. President Ziaur Rahman played an important role in developing the relationship, while successive governments contributed to its expansion.

In June 2010, then Vice President Xi Jinping visited Bangladesh. In October 2016, President Xi made a historic state visit. Over the years, bilateral cooperation has expanded across trade, infrastructure, investment, defence, education and people-to-people exchanges.

A significant new chapter opened on June 26, 2026, when President Xi Jinping met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Beijing. The two leaders jointly announced the decision to build a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era. Xi Jinping meets Prime Minister Tarique Rahman — Chinese Foreign Ministry

The two countries’ Joint Communiqué identified cooperation in connectivity, trade, industrial and supply chains, green development, digital technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, health, education, vocational training and defence. It also highlighted cooperation concerning ports, water management and people-to-people exchanges. China-Bangladesh Joint Communiqué, June 26, 2026

For Bangladesh, the important question now is: How can this new framework produce tangible benefits for ordinary Bangladeshis?

Making win-win cooperation visible

Win-win cooperation should mean more opportunities for Bangladeshis to study, work, travel, trade, receive medical treatment, acquire skills and participate in technology-driven development.

Bangladesh should therefore pursue greater direct air connectivity with China, stronger maritime links and, when conditions permit, regional land connectivity linking Bangladesh with southwestern China through Myanmar.

China’s experience in high-speed rail could also be valuable as Bangladesh develops a long-term vision for connecting Dhaka with the headquarters of all eight divisions.

But infrastructure should not be the whole story.

The greatest investment should be in people. Chinese support for training Bangladeshi teachers to teach Chinese in schools, colleges and vocational institutions could create a new generation of linguistic and professional bridges.

I would also propose a major China-Bangladesh Vocational and Chinese Language Training Centre, with residential facilities, combining Chinese-language education with vocational skills, technology, industrial safety and entrepreneurship.

Another initiative deserving consideration is a China-Bangladesh Research and Development Centre (CBRD) linking governments, universities, think tanks, businesses and technical experts. It could work on water management, agriculture, connectivity, technology, health, AI, climate change and regional cooperation.

A China-Bangladesh Complex outside Dhaka could also provide a permanent platform for business, exhibitions, banking, tourism, culture, sports and people-to-people exchanges.

These are not merely infrastructure proposals. They are investments in a relationship.

From friendship to shared development

Bangladesh needs Chinese investment, technology, skills and market access. China can benefit from a stable, connected and economically dynamic Bangladesh located at an important crossroads between South and Southeast Asia.

The next stage should therefore move beyond a project-based relationship towards co-development, knowledge-sharing and technology transfer.

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A genuine win-win partnership should create employment for Bangladeshis, strengthen Bangladeshi enterprises and build local capacity while providing Chinese businesses with opportunities in a growing market.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has invited President Xi Jinping to visit Bangladesh. At a mutually convenient time, another visit could provide powerful momentum to this new phase of bilateral relations.

I first saw China in 1988, when its transformation was still unfolding. Today, as China celebrates 77 years of the People’s Republic, Bangladesh has an opportunity to learn from that experience while pursuing its own development path.

The phrase “community with a shared future” should become more than diplomatic language. It should mean classrooms that create opportunities, technology that raises productivity, businesses that create employment, infrastructure that connects people, and exchanges that allow Bangladeshis and Chinese to understand one another better.

From witnessing China’s rise to building a shared future together—that should be the next chapter of Bangladesh-China relations.

Lt. Col. (Retd.) Md. Shahadat Hossain, psc
Adjunct Professor, Institute of Professional Language (IPL), Bangladesh Maritime University
Graduate in Chinese Language, Beijing Language and Culture University
Founder & General Secretary, We Speak Chinese Club Bangladesh Limited (WSCCBL)
Founder/Proprietor & Senior Researcher, Zhong Meng Chinese Academy & Zhong Meng Enterprise
Promoter & Consultant, China-Bangladesh Relations and Chinese Language Education
Former official Chinese-English-Bengali interpreter
Chinese name: 沙哈大特
Email: shahadatb@gmail.com
Cell: +8801716097874