Bilateral trade volume between Bangladesh and China hit a record high of USD 12.8 billion during the first half of 2026, marking a 10.6 percent year-on-year increase, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka announced on Thursday.

In an official statement released to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the diplomatic mission underscored the expanding bilateral collaboration across trade, foreign direct investment, infrastructure development and healthcare.

The release highlighted that China maintained its status as Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years spanning from 2010 through 2025.

On the trade front, Bangladeshi agricultural exports—including fresh mangoes and jackfruits—have successfully secured entry into the Chinese market, while active negotiations remain underway to obtain market clearance for guavas and aromatic rice.
Additionally, both nations are currently executing a joint action plan designed to boost Bangladesh's export capabilities and refine the structural balance of bilateral commerce, according to the embassy.

Complementing the expanding commercial ties, China's cumulative foreign direct investment in Bangladesh climbed to approximately USD 3.6 billion as of June 2026.

Chinese direct investment in Bangladesh experienced a year-on-year surge of nearly 50 percent in 2025 alone.

Furthermore, since the assumption of the new administration, five Chinese-funded enterprises have injected over USD 100 million into the local economy, generating roughly 20,000 employment opportunities.

In regional industrial development, the China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram officially commenced operations in July 2026, having already drawn USD 500 million in intended investment commitments.

The specialized zone centers on advancing high-value sectors, including textiles and apparel, machinery manufacturing, electronics and information technology, biomedicine, and green energy industries.

Highlighting major infrastructure endeavors, the embassy pointed to the Padma Bridge—constructed by a Chinese enterprise—as a landmark transport link connecting Dhaka with 21 southwestern districts.

The statement noted that the bridge is projected to add 1.23 percentage points to the nation's annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth while lowering the poverty rate by 0.84 percentage points.

In energy infrastructure Chinese companies have completed and executed coal-fired, solar, and wind power installations boasting a combined generation capacity above 1,000 megawatts.

Several China-assisted development works are currently in progress nationwide, including the specialized burn unit at Chattogram Medical College Hospital and the structural renovation of Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge-6.

Other pipeline initiatives—comprising a general hospital, a women's residential hall at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge-9, and a dedicated emergency management center—are also advancing smoothly, the release stated.

In the public health and emergency aid sectors, China has extended assistance packages exceeding USD 4 million to Bangladesh in recent years.

The aid provisions encompassed dengue and COVID-19 diagnostic kits, pharmaceutical supplies, burn care ventilators, robotic rehabilitation devices, and flood relief materials.

Additionally, China has sponsored the development of a 1,000-bed general hospital alongside the Chattogram Medical College Hospital burn unit.

The embassy affirmed that these ongoing initiatives reflect China's steadfast assistance during critical periods and its continuous contributions to safeguarding the health and public welfare of the Bangladeshi populace.