China’s Soft Power Strategy in Bangladesh

China’s engagement with Bangladesh through soft power mechanisms has become a cornerstone of its broader strategic agenda, reflecting efforts to cultivate a favourable image and deepen ties beyond conventional economic partnerships. Within this bilateral framework, China’s influence manifests through diplomatic, cultural and developmental channels that supplement its investments in physical infrastructure and commerce. Diverging from the US model, China’s strategy places emphasis on long-term cultural affinity and mutual benefit, leveraging its rapid economic growth to shape its position in global governance. Central to this approach is the notion of the ‘Chinese Dream’, championed by President Xi Jinping, which articulates China’s vision of peaceful development and global harmony. The Belt and Road Initiative, as a flagship of China’s soft power, is actively deployed to fortify economic links with Dhaka. This article investigates the multi-layered dimensions of China’s soft power—economic, sociopolitical and cultural—in the Bangladeshi context. It critically examines initiatives such as trade expansion, infrastructure collaboration, cultural exchanges, vaccine diplomacy and educational programmes. Moreover, the study assesses as to how regional shifts, including renewed US nationalism under Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff war, Sino-Indian strategic rivalry and the intensifying global power competition shape China’s influence in Bangladesh.