Bangladesh and China have historic connections. Romans and Arabs used Bangladesh to trade with China. Many Chinese visited Bangladesh in the past. But the connection was cut in the colonial era.
Now Bangladesh has strong tie with China. Annual trade with China is about 6.2 billion US dollar. There is very strong military relationship with China also.
Bangladesh is planning to build a new deep sea port at Sonadia. China, India and UAE have offered to help for this project.
Bay of Bengal has some strategic importance also. US, India and China all the countries are keen to keep their presence here. Bay of Bengal is also important for Bangladeshi economy.
Many Indian and US analysts suspect that China will take military advantage in the guise of deep sea port.
But from a seminar at the capital Chinese ambassador in Bangladesh has reiterated that China has no intention to use this deep sea port for military purpose. The ambassador also said that China have no problem in establishing road communication with Bangladesh through Myanmar. But it depends on bilateral relation between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
