The Building Of BCIM Economic Corridor:Implications For China-Bangladesh Relations

This dissertation examines the prospects and challenges of building the BCIM Economic Corridor for China and Bangladesh.In particular,it investigates how China and Bangladesh can secure economic advantages from building the corridor by using their geostrategic position.It also investigates why the corridor is geostrategically and geopolitically significant for the two countries.Moreover,it explores what barriers and challenges Bangladesh and China are facing for geostrategic implications of their relations in the context of building the corridor.To explore these research questions,the qualitative and case study methods are utilized in the investigation.The study also follows historical method to investigate the historical background of China-Bangladesh relations and ancient Silk Road.Instruments used to collect data are key-informant interview,review of literature and media reports.Additionally,the framework of four theories of geostrategy,geopolitics,economic corridor and ethnic conflict has been applied in order to explore the research questions.The analysis of historical background of their relationshas asserted that warm cultural,economic,diplomatic and political relations between China and Bengal(Bangladesh and west Bengal of India)existed in the ancient and medieval period.At present,China is the largest trading,development and strategic partner of Bangladesh.Moreover,the empirical analysis results that both China and Bangladesh can ensure economic,geostrategic and geopolitical advantages by building the corridor using geostrategic position of Bangladesh.The building BCIM-EC will facilitate both southwest China and Bangladesh in developing infrastructures and interconnectivity,widening production network and higher productivity,attracting FDI,exchange of knowledge and technology,boosting trade and higher economic growth.It will help China in overcoming geostrategic vulnerability,reducing the influences of USA and other regional powers and addressing security concern in the Bay of Bengal region.It may also facilitate Bangladesh in enhancing its geostrategic value,overcoming geopolitical pressure on it from major powers and to be a regional hub and gateway between South Asia and Southeast Asia,and between South Asia and China through the corridor.However,as the global environment is dramatically changing,particularly,geostrategic and geopolitical competiton of USA and India with China,China and Bangladesh are facing geopolitical challenge in the respects of building the corridor and the geostrategic implication of their relations.Moreover,the ethnic conflict in northeast India and Myanmar,and Rohingya issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar may pose a security challenges to the building of the corridor.Therefore,the dissertation concludes that by overcoming these challenges,the building of the corridor will facilitate both China and Bangladesh in securing mutual economic and strategic benefits.