On Oct.12,2024, Renowned Chinese scholar Prof. & Dr. Yang Jiemian, former President of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) (2007-2013) and now Chairman of the SIIS Academic Advisory Council, emphasized the importance of mutual learning and collaboration between China and Bangladesh at a high-profile seminar held at Dhaka University’s Senate Building. The seminar, organized by the Centre for China Studies, chaired by Professor Shamsad Murtoza, the Bangladeshi director of the centre, focused on "Mutual Learning in Economic and Social Development between China and Bangladesh." Dr. Yang, a former vice-chairman of the China International Relations Association, shared key insights from China’s development experience and how both nations can benefit from their shared history, current challenges, and future aspirations.
In his keynote address, Dr. Yang reflected on China and Bangladesh's shared historical experiences. “Both China and Bangladesh have been makers, carriers, and promoters of mankind’s civilization over thousands of years. Both countries suffered under Western colonialism and imperialism, and both have risen through national liberation and independence,” he said. He underscored that this common history offers a foundation for forging ahead with new strategies to achieve sustainable development.
Dr. Yang emphasized that China and Bangladesh share not only similar historical memories but also current tasks and future goals. Both nations, he said, have made significant progress in agriculture, industry, and intellectual advancements through hard work and perseverance. However, he urged both countries to avoid resting on past achievements or complaining about historical injustices. “We must explore the right way to new successes, steadily and firmly. We need to move beyond political independence and economic growth toward sustainable development,” he said.
Dr. Yang acknowledged that the road to development is rarely straightforward. He shared China’s early lessons from its ambitious yet flawed “Big Leap Forward,” which, while noble in its intentions, proved unsuccessful. “Beautiful as these ideas were, they were shortly proved wrong,” Dr. Yang said. He highlighted how China pivoted in 1979 to more practical and feasible goals through reform and opening-up policies, which have since brought tremendous success.
Referring to Bangladesh’s development trajectory, Dr. Yang noted that while Bangladesh had a lower GDP per capita than India in the past, it now surpasses its neighbor in this metric. “This tells us that through relentless efforts, Bangladesh has the potential to continue its remarkable progress,” he added.
Dr. Yang also acknowledged that Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) list and its vision of becoming a "Smart Bangladesh" by 2041 is a testament to the country’s potential. “What Bangladesh has achieved demonstrates to other LDCs that they, too, can succeed with diligence and intelligence,” he said.
Drawing on China’s experience, Dr. Yang shared three key principles: economic growth as the foundation of development, the importance of balancing growth with social justice and ecological conservation, and the need for a stable and clean government to ensure long-term progress. He quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping, who said, “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” to emphasize the importance of environmental sustainability alongside economic development.
Dr. Yang stressed that China and Bangladesh can learn from and support each other as they strive toward China’s modernization in 2049 and Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a Smart Bangladesh by 2041. “We must appreciate and complement each other’s paths of development, overcome present difficulties, and lay a solid foundation for the future,” he said. He highlighted education, job creation, and social stability as key pillars of sustainable development.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Yang emphasized persistence, self-reliance, and adaptability as critical factors for success. “Both of us must be firmly persistent in taking development as the key task, self-reliant in our efforts, and adaptive to the rapid changes both at home and abroad,” he concluded.
The Q&A session following Dr. Yang Jiemian's keynote address was a standout moment of the seminar. Five participants raised a variety of questions, touching on critical issues such as Bangladesh's July Revolution, the country's leadership challenges, its relationship with the Middle East, and the contrast between Bangladesh's developing status and China’s remarkable milestones. Dr. Yang, a renowned scholar, addressed each topic with remarkable clarity and insight, leaving participants deeply satisfied with his thoughtful and comprehensive responses. His expertise was evident, offering valuable perspectives on the unique challenges faced by both Bangladesh and China.
The seminar was reported live and attended by more than 60 persons, including prominent scholars , journalists, diplomats of different countries, faculty members and students from various institutions. Dr. Liu Zongyi- the Chinese director of the Centre for China Studies, Dr Wang Weihua from SIIS and Deputy Director of CCS Dr. Li Hongmei also participated in the lecture.
After the brainstorming seminar Dr. Yang called on Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan at the latter's office on Saturday.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on various issues including the possibilities of strengthening the ongoing joint collaborative academic and research programs among the DU and universities and institutions in China.
They also discussed further development of Centre for China Studies to conduct more pragmatic research and stressed the need for internationalization of the centre as well as utilizing it to strengthen the relationship between Bangladesh and China.
Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan thanked the guest for his visit to Dhaka University and expressed keen interest in its academic and research activities, and also agree the ideas of Prof. Yang on how to promote the development of CCS.
After meeting with Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, the Centre for China Studies (CCS) has officially approved three groundbreaking research projects, led by distinguished scholars from three of Bangladesh's top universities. The projects, which will explore critical areas of China-Bangladesh relations and development, have been proposed by Professor Dr. Nuruzzaman from North South University (NSU), Professor Dr. Mohammad Mainul Islam from Dhaka University (DU), and Professor Dr. Shahabul Haque from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).
The announcement was made following a meeting of the Centre for China Studies, which is dedicated to advancing academic and policy-oriented research on China and its relationship with Bangladesh. The projects were selected based on their potential to contribute valuable insights into the growing cooperation between the two nations in areas such as social and economic development, trade, science ,education etc
The approval of these three projects highlights the Centre for China Studies’ commitment to fostering academic research that has real-world implications for China-Bangladesh relations. As China continues to play a key role in Bangladesh’s economic and infrastructural growth, these research initiatives are expected to provide valuable insights and recommendations that will inform future collaboration.
The project handover ceremony was attended by numerous experts, including Dr. Yang, Liu Zongyi- the Chinese director of the Centre for China Studies, Professor Shamsad Murtoza- the Bangladeshi director of the CCS, Dr. Wang Weihua from SIIS, and Deputy Director of CCS Dr. Li Hongmei. Prominent scholars from foreign service academy, Dhaka University, SUST, and North South University also participated, alongside faculty members and students from various institutions.
The projects are expected to commence in the coming months, with findings anticipated to be shared through academic publications, conferences, and policy briefs that will be presented to both the Bangladeshi and Chinese governments. The Centre for China Studies hopes that this research will pave the way for deeper collaboration between the two nations, ultimately benefiting both economies and societies.
On the afternoon of Oct. 12, Dr. Jiemian YANG visited the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant in Dhaka as part of his official trip to Bangladesh. His visit underscored the critical role of infrastructure development in fostering sustainable growth, a key theme in both China's and Bangladesh’s long-term economic and social development strategies.
Accompanied by local administrators and engineers, Dr. Yang toured the state-of-the-art facility, which is the largest sewage treatment plant in Bangladesh. It was built to address Dhaka's growing sanitation challenges and to improve the city’s environmental health. During his visit, Dr. Yang expressed his admiration for the project and its potential to significantly improve public health and quality of life for millions of residents in Dhaka.
The Dasherkandi plant is an excellent example of how targeted infrastructure investments can have a far-reaching impact on urban sustainability and the well-being of citizens. This project not only tackles immediate sanitation needs but also lays the groundwork for future economic growth by creating a cleaner, healthier environment for the people of Dhaka.
The Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant is a key component of Bangladesh's broader efforts to modernize its urban infrastructure. With a capacity to treat 500 million liters of wastewater per day, the plant is designed to reduce pollution in Dhaka’s rivers and waterways, improving the city's water management and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Yang, who has extensively studied the development trajectories of nations around the world, noted the similarities between Bangladesh’s current infrastructure drive and China's earlier phases of development.
Local project manager briefed Dr. Yang on the plant’s operation, including its advanced treatment processes and the technology being used to minimize environmental impact. They also highlighted future plans for expanding wastewater treatment capacity in Dhaka to meet the needs of the city's rapidly growing population.
Dr. Yang’s visit to the Dasherkandi plant is part of a broader initiative to strengthen China-Bangladesh cooperation in infrastructure and sustainable development. As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and aims to become a “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041, the lessons from China’s experience in infrastructure development are seen as valuable for the country’s policymakers.
Both China and Bangladesh understand the importance of infrastructure as the backbone of sustainable development. By continuing to invest in projects like the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, Bangladesh is taking significant strides towards creating a more resilient and prosperous future for its people.
Dr. Yang's visit concluded with a discussion on future collaboration between China and Bangladesh in the fields of urban planning, environmental sustainability, and water management.
Dr. Liu Zongyi- the Chinese director of the Centre for China Studies, Dr. Liu Peng from Yunnan University, Dr Wang Weihua from SIIS, and Deputy Director of CCS Dr. Li Hongmei also attended.
