Effective river water management is key to ensuring environmental stability and fostering sustainable economic growth. China has emerged as a global leader in river water, sediment, and flood control, along with implementing major river infrastructure projects across Asia.

The recent visit of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to China brought river management to the forefront of bilateral discussions. Recognizing Bangladesh’s longstanding challenges in river governance, Yunus proposed a 50-year master plan during his meeting with China's Water Resources Minister Li Guoying in Beijing on March 27.

“We face the same challenges as you. We would be happy if you share your experiences,” Yunus told the Chinese minister. Minister Li responded positively, pledging technical support and expertise to help Bangladesh navigate its river-related challenges.

On March 28, in a meeting with President Xi Jinping, both sides agreed to expand cooperation beyond economic and technical aspects to include hydrological forecasting, flood prevention, and water resource development. This includes disaster mitigation, river dredging, integrated water resource management, and technological exchanges. A key milestone was the signing of an implementation plan for the exchange of hydrological data on the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna River. Chinese companies were also encouraged to participate in Bangladesh’s Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP).

A Nation of Rivers, Struggling for Governance

Bangladesh, a low-lying, lower-riparian country, is home to 907 rivers, 90% of which suffer from poor governance. The causes range from severe pollution and siltation to inefficient dredging, climate change, and encroachments. Complicating matters further are upstream diversions and artificial barriers from India, hindering natural flow and affecting agriculture, biodiversity, and freshwater access.

According to 2015 IUCN data, 31 animal species have already gone extinct in Bangladesh. Many more remain endangered, as river pollution and habitat encroachment continue unchecked. Despite the rivers’ critical role in food production, environment, culture, and livelihoods, protection efforts remain inadequate.

China’s Potential Role

River conservation offers Bangladesh a multipronged opportunity—improving biodiversity, sustaining agriculture, boosting fish exports, and combating global warming. While local re-dredging initiatives by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) have made some progress, challenges persist due to poor post-excavation maintenance, urban encroachment, and insufficient sediment management.

China brings decades of experience in balancing infrastructure development with ecological restoration. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project and management of the Yellow River stand as examples of its capacity to ensure continuous water flow across vast regions. With this expertise, Bangladesh could transform its fragmented river management into a coordinated and smart water conservation system.

Bangladesh has long sought India's cooperation on cross-border rivers like the Ganges, Teesta, and Surma-Kushiyara. Yet, due to political hesitancy and unequal water-sharing practices, tangible progress has remained elusive. In contrast, China’s technical capabilities, funding mechanisms, and willingness to collaborate offer a potential lifeline.

Beyond the Bilateral: Regional and Global Stakes

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin—shared by China, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal—is facing intensified climate-related pressures, including floods and droughts. In this context, regional cooperation, particularly with China, becomes vital. China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has already integrated environmental partnerships, and its Green Envoys Programs have supported developing countries in achieving water and sanitation goals.

Chinese-backed initiatives such as the San Lorenzo Water Supply Project in Brazil and the Moragahakanda Reservoir Project in Sri Lanka highlight its expanding global influence in water conservation. For Bangladesh, this partnership could result in a national river management plan that revives dying rivers, boosts agriculture, and generates employment.

For instance, water scarcity in the Teesta region reduces Bangladesh’s Boro rice yield by 1.5 million tons annually—about 8.9% of total production. With proper river management, this loss can be reversed. Chinese investment in the Teesta basin could increase agricultural output by 14%, generate $3 billion in value, and foster industrial clusters and better regional connectivity.

Caution: Boon or Boomerang?

While the opportunity is vast, the risks are real. Without transparency, environmental safeguards, and strong domestic ownership, the Dhaka-Beijing river cooperation could backfire. A 50-year master plan must be rooted in Bangladesh’s ecological realities, ensuring local participation, sustainable practices, and equitable governance. Otherwise, well-intended cooperation could become a boomerang, undermining long-term water security.

(The author is Professor, Department of Linguistics, University of Dhaka, and Director General, International Mother Language Institute. Views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at ashadzaman.du01@gmail.com)