The Bangladesh–China Youth Student Association (BCYSA) organized the Second Belt and Road Forum for the Advancement of China and Bangladesh Relations – 2026 on 10 October 2026. Held online under the theme “Inclusive and Interconnected Sustainable Development,” the forum brought together academics, researchers, students and professionals to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

The forum was co-organized by the School of Fashion at Wuhan Textile University, China; Daffodil International University, Bangladesh; Green University of Bangladesh; Gono Bishwabidyalay, Bangladesh; BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology, Bangladesh; and the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni (ABCA). The Bangla Department of China Media Group (CMG) served as the media partner.

The forum focused on practical approaches to sustainable development, including academic collaboration, technological innovation, industrial modernization, healthcare, trade and cultural exchange. Speakers from various institutions shared research perspectives and proposed initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional partnerships and people-to-people connections between Bangladesh and China.

The program was hosted by Suaibia Tasnim, Vice President of BCYSA. In his welcome address, Md. Amirul Islam, General Secretary of BCYSA, emphasized the importance of Bangladesh–China friendship, mutual respect, youth engagement and knowledge exchange. He highlighted the role of collaborative initiatives in promoting innovation and strengthening bilateral relations.

Delivering a special address, Dr. S. M. Minhus, Vice President and Team Leader of the BCYSA Belt and Road Training Academy, stressed the importance of institutional cooperation and proposed cross-border cultural research projects. Yu Guang Yue (Anandi), Director of the Bengali Department at China Media Group (CMG), discussed the significance of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in regional development and the contribution of Chinese media to strengthening cultural understanding and communication between the two countries. Despite being a native Chinese speaker, her fluent and amicable Bengali speech added a distinctive cross-cultural dimension to the event, reflecting the growing people-to-people connections between Bangladesh and China.

Education and academic exchange emerged as important areas of discussion. Prof. Dr. Ayub Nabi Khan, Vice Chancellor of BUFT, delivered a keynote address examining the influence of the BRI on global higher education. He highlighted opportunities for joint research, faculty exchanges, shared academic resources and collaborative training programs between Bangladeshi and Chinese institutions.

Similarly, Yang Hui of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dhaka discussed Chinese-language education in Bangladesh, identifying the shortage of qualified language teachers and the need to strengthen local teacher training. The discussion emphasized the importance of language proficiency and cultural awareness in facilitating academic and professional exchanges.

Regional connectivity, trade and infrastructure development were addressed by Dr. Rana-Al-Mosharrafa, Associate Professor at Gono Bishwabidyalay. Her presentation explored China–South Asia and Indian Ocean cooperation, emphasizing dialogue, mutual trust and technological collaboration. The discussion highlighted opportunities for strengthening regional partnerships, trade connectivity and investment aligned with Bangladesh's development priorities.

The forum also examined sustainable fashion and the future of the textile industry. Tao Hui of Wuhan Textile University presented perspectives on inclusive fashion design, focusing on the needs of older adults and individuals with diverse body shapes. The presentation also emphasized integrating inclusive design principles into fashion education. Given Bangladesh's significant garment manufacturing capacity and China's expertise in textile technology, the discussion identified opportunities for cooperation in sustainable production, innovative design and professional training.

Addressing industrial modernization, Shams Rezwan Rabby of Hubei University of Technology discussed the potential of automation in Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry. He identified operational inefficiencies and limited automation expertise as key challenges and proposed a joint automation demonstration centre, smart energy management initiatives and digital trade training. These proposals aimed to enhance productivity, strengthen technical capacity and support the industry's adaptation to technological changes.

Healthcare cooperation was another major focus of the forum. Md. Fuad Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Gono Bishwabidyalay, discussed community-based healthcare services, equitable healthcare financing and challenges in primary healthcare delivery. Drawing on Bangladesh's experience, including the work of Dhaka Community Medical Center, he proposed establishing a transnational community-health research network to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities.

In a related presentation, Mostafa Tanvir Tusar, Consultant at Cumilla Trauma Center, addressed childhood diarrheal diseases, inappropriate antibiotic use, and the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance in Bangladesh. He proposed an 18-month Bangladesh–China research collaboration combining clinical monitoring in Bangladesh with laboratory analysis in China, including the evaluation of potential traditional Chinese medicine candidates. The proposal highlighted the importance of cross-border scientific cooperation, subject to appropriate ethical and regulatory oversight.

Emerging technologies and industrial applications were discussed by Musa Kalimullah of China Three Gorges University, who explored the potential use of non-weaponized drones in industrial electronics and renewable-energy systems. He proposed a three-month feasibility study, including the establishment of a joint working group and assessments of intellectual property, technical feasibility and associated risks. The initiative could provide a foundation for future collaboration in industrial monitoring and infrastructure management.

Further discussions explored textile heritage, fashion innovation and digital education. Dr. Tanvir Ahmed Chowdhury, Associate Professor at Daffodil International University, highlighted opportunities to combine Bangladesh's traditional textile craftsmanship with China's manufacturing and technological capabilities. He proposed academic exchanges, joint research and collaborative design initiatives to promote innovation within the fashion and textile sectors.

Meanwhile, Md. Ryhanuzzaman Kiran of Yangzhou University proposed developing a digital education collaboration platform connecting universities and industries in Bangladesh and China. The proposed platform would support online course sharing, joint research and development in artificial intelligence and green manufacturing, internships and entrepreneurship guidance. The initiative aimed to strengthen academic–industry collaboration and expand learning and research opportunities for students and professionals.

Delivering the closing remarks, Dr. Moneruzzaman Shihab, President of BCYSA, expressed appreciation to the speakers, organizers and participants for their contributions. He reflected on the diverse issues discussed throughout the forum and encouraged continued engagement in BCYSA's educational, research and knowledge-sharing initiatives, including magazine publications and scholarship seminars.

The Second Belt and Road Forum highlighted opportunities for deeper Bangladesh–China cooperation through collaborative research, academic exchange, industrial innovation, healthcare development and sustainable production. By bringing together participants from different disciplines, the event provided a platform for exchanging ideas, identifying shared priorities and exploring potential partnerships that could contribute to sustainable development and stronger bilateral relations.

Raoha