'Education to become construction material for building bridge between Bangladesh and China'

“Education will be the construction material to build bridge between Bangladesh and China,” remarked Education Minister A.N.M. Ehsanul Haque Milon while addressing a conference titled “China-Bangladesh Round Table on Governance Experience Exchange” held at Hotel InterContinental on Friday morning organised by Centre for China Studies DU

While addressing the conference, the minister said, “This conference will be the bridge between China and Bangladesh. That is our aim. But what will be the construction materials to build a bridge between China and Bangladesh? Is it concrete, cement or rod? No, it is education.”

“There’s a reason behind the strategic relation between Dhaka University and China. We are having MoUs one after another to improve our strategic relation with China,” he added.

Mentioning that Bangladesh is benefiting from the bilateral relationship, he said, “We are being benefited. Because the Global South is very vulnerable now. In this century, we're losing our confidence in world leaders. Everywhere, there’s war. Nobody cares for anybody. In this case, we have to restrengthen ourselves.”

The minister stressed the importance of transforming Bangladesh’s huge population into human capital through education.

“Bangladesh is becoming more populated day by day. More people are taking birth and fewer people are dying. We are one of the most densely populated countries in the world. We must convert this population into human capital. So, this is our duty,” he said.

Referring to the growing educational cooperation between Bangladesh and China, Milon said Dhaka University authorities had recently signed two MoUs with Chinese universities to strengthen bilateral relations in higher education and research.

He also expressed optimism over future cooperation between the two countries in the education sector.

“The relation with China will continue. Whatever you discuss, the results will be good for us. The relation between China and Bangladesh will be very prosperous and good,” he added.

Prof. Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka; Dr. Chen Dongxiao, Senior Research Fellow, President of SIIS and Chairman of the Academic Board of CCS; and Yao Wen, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Bangladesh, also addressed the opening session.

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said Beijing now views the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as a key partner in state management.

“The Communist Party of China and the BNP are both ruling parties, and the exchange of state governance experience between the two is now embracing unprecedented opportunities,” Ambassador Yao said.

He noted that personnel exchange between the two countries has already seen a dramatic increase, with over 32,000 visas issued by the Chinese Embassy so far this year. Officials expect the number to exceed 100,000 by the end of the year, supported by 45 weekly round-trip flights between Dhaka and different Chinese cities.

Economic data shared during the session showed that four Chinese firms have recently invested nearly USD 100 million in Bangladesh, creating around 10,000 jobs. Major ongoing projects include the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and the Mongla Port upgrade.

The ambassador emphasized that China remains a “trustworthy and reliable partner” as Bangladesh seeks to diversify its industrial base beyond textiles and navigate global energy pressures.

Yao Wen concluded by reaffirming China’s support for Bangladesh’s bid for the presidency of the 31st UN General Assembly, reinforcing a partnership that spans from university-level cooperation to global multilateral frameworks.

The day-long round table conference  included sessions ovar the thems– International Situation and Its Influence on Bangladesh, Artificial Intelligence and Governance, River and City Transportation Governance. Experts and diplomats from The both countries attended the conference as Speakers and guests.

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