BETWEEN OPPORTUNITY AND DEPENDENCY: RETHINKING BANGLADESH'S STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC ALIGNMENT WITH CHINA

This study explores the strategic and economic dimensions of the evolving relationship between Bangladesh and the People’s Republic of China in the context of globalization. As China emerges as a dominant global actor through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and related infrastructure diplomacy, Bangladesh has increasingly engaged with Beijing to advance its development and regional connectivity objectives. Drawing on secondary data, including academic literature, policy reports, and official documents, this research adopts an analytical and neoliberal institutionalist framework to assess the motivations, mechanisms, and outcomes of Sino-Bangladeshi cooperation. The findings indicate that while the partnership offers significant benefits—such as infrastructure development, defense modernization, and expanded trade access—it also introduces asymmetries, trade imbalances, and concerns about political and economic overdependence. Bangladesh’s strategic hedging between China and other regional or global powers reflects a calculated approach to maximizing developmental gains while preserving national autonomy. The study concludes that a sustainable, mutually beneficial partnership requires greater transparency, strategic diversification, and institutional oversight. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for enhanced trade competitiveness, diversified foreign investment, and strengthened governance mechanisms to ensure Bangladesh’s long-term integration into the global economy without compromising sovereignty or policy independence.