Dhaka: China is exploring a new connectivity route to the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh and Myanmar, as Beijing and Dhaka discuss a proposed economic corridor linking Bangladesh with south-western China.

The proposed corridor was discussed during a meeting between Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and Bangladesh’s Junior Foreign Minister Shama Obaid Islam, according to Bangladesh’s state-run news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

Citing a press release from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BSS reported that the meeting was held at the minister’s office on Monday. The talks covered the proposed economic corridor as well as cooperation in infrastructure, energy, human resource development and other areas of economic partnership.

The proposed route would seek to strengthen connectivity between Bangladesh and south-western China via Myanmar. Significantly, it is separate from the earlier proposed Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, which had envisaged a four-country connectivity framework.

The new proposal could give Beijing an additional trade and connectivity route towards the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh and Myanmar, without India forming part of the proposed corridor.

The discussions also covered a proposed 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, cooperation in education and human resource development, people-to-people contacts, energy, and women’s empowerment.

BSS reported that Ambassador Yao reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to Bangladesh as a “reliable partner and friend”, while highlighting what he described as significant progress in bilateral relations in recent years.

Yao also invited the Junior Foreign Minister to visit China, along with a delegation of Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs, at a convenient time.

According to BSS, the minister welcomed the invitation and appreciated the initiative, signalling continued engagement between Dhaka and Beijing across connectivity, economic, social and development-related areas.