China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh, 10 Years Later
Bangladesh and China upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership on July 11, 2024, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that began in 2016. China has disbursed $4.45 billion for 35 BRI projects in Bangladesh, a fraction of the promised $40 billion investment.
In 2016, Bangladesh joined China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit, upgrading their relationship to a Strategic Partnership of Cooperation. Several major infrastructure projects have since been completed or are underway. On July 11, 2024, their partnership was further elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Despite political upheavals in Bangladesh, including the removal of the Hasina government, the BRI has continued. China had promised $40 billion in investments, but only $4.45 billion has been disbursed for 35 BRI projects as of 2023. Completed projects include the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, and the Payra Thermal Power Plant. Ongoing and proposed projects include the Payra Seaport, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, and the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram.
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