China on Thursday pledged its support to Bangladesh for the Teesta River management project and for solving the Rohingya crisis.

The assurances came during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to the country, which began yesterday.

For the Teesta project, China expressed strong interest in providing technical assistance, planning and feasibility studies, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Diaoyutai Hotel in Beijing following bilateral talks between PM Tarique and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Mahdi said the two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including water resource management, trade, investment, education, healthcare and people-to-people connectivity.

He said Bangladesh has a comprehensive master plan for the Teesta project, as outlined in the BNP election manifesto, and China has shown willingness to be involved at different stages of the initiative.

“China has expressed interest in providing technical support where necessary and sharing its expertise in project design, planning and implementation,” Mahdi said.

He said both sides agreed on the importance of conducting a joint feasibility study for the Teesta project, describing it as a critical step for such a large-scale undertaking.

“China wants to work with Bangladesh on the joint feasibility study and contribute its expertise to integrated water resource management and drainage systems.”

Mahdi, also an adviser to the PM, said the two countries also discussed ways to narrow the trade imbalance and increase Bangladeshi exports to the Chinese market.

“China is Bangladesh’s largest trading partner. At the same time, Bangladesh imports far more from China than it exports. Discussions focused on how Bangladesh can diversify and increase its exports,” he said.

Mahdi also revealed that several Chinese banks are considering launching operations in Bangladesh, encouraged by ongoing reforms in the country’s financial sector.

“China believes there are investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s banking sector as the country continues to strengthen and modernise its financial system,” he said.

At a separate briefing, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said  Chinese Premier Li Qiang had also assured Bangladesh that China will play its due role in efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis, including through engagement with the Myanmar government.

At a press conference at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, Humaiun said PM Tarique raised the Rohingya crisis as one of Bangladesh's foremost security concerns.

"Prime Minister Tarique Rahman raised the issue of the Rohingya crisis during the bilateral meeting with the Chinese Premier. The Rohingya crisis is one of Bangladesh's top security concerns. We have to resolve the crisis," he said.

The adviser said PM Tarique emphasised China's role in helping address the issue and stressed the need for both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

"We need bilateral cooperation alongside multilateral efforts to resolve this issue, and the Premier of the People's Republic of China gave a very positive gesture to Prime Minister Tarique that they will always be on the side of positive cooperation and will assist in that matter also in talking to the government in Myanmar and will also play their due role in this crisis,” he said.

Humaiun added that PM Tarique reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity while pursuing a firm diplomatic approach to resolving security challenges.

"His government will maintain a strong foreign policy and security position on the issue through diplomacy and dialogue," the adviser said.