China Commits to Teesta River Project Following Bangladesh Request

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen confirmed Thursday that Beijing remains committed to financing and developing the Teesta River comprehensive management project, emphasizing that the initiative is being pursued strictly in response to a formal request from the Bangladeshi government. Speaking at a press briefing in Dhaka following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent state visit to China, the ambassador stated that the project is primarily focused on improving the livelihoods of residents living along the riverbank.

Addressing the technical requirements of the project, Ambassador Yao noted that while previous agreements involved individual Chinese firms, the current framework seeks to elevate the effort to a government-to-government collaboration. He underscored that China intends to deploy its top scientific experts to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies, a prerequisite for the project’s advancement. Beijing remains fully committed to working directly with the Bangladeshi government to ensure the study is executed to the highest standards.

Regarding concerns over regional geopolitical sensitivities—specifically potential objections from India or questions about water flow from upstream—Ambassador Yao maintained that such external factors are not part of China’s considerations. He reiterated that China’s engagement is driven solely by the priorities and expectations set forth by Dhaka.

Bangladesh Gas Crisis Persists as LNG Terminal Repairs Continue

Read More

The ambassador also reaffirmed China’s push for a tripartite economic corridor involving Bangladesh and Myanmar. While noting that the broader BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) initiative proposed 15 years ago has faced stagnation, Yao stressed that Beijing remains determined to foster regional connectivity. He signaled that China is open to expanding these partnerships whenever neighboring nations are ready to participate.

In light of the ongoing internal instability in Myanmar, which complicates traditional land-based transit, the ambassador suggested that the proposed economic corridor could initially prioritize maritime and port-based connectivity. He emphasized that China remains open-minded and flexible, ready to integrate regional partners into these infrastructure networks as geopolitical conditions permit.