Calculated Move? Why China Reached Out To Jamaat Ahead Of Bangladesh Elections

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 16:37 IST

Sources say China is acutely aware that Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh remains one of the most potent street-mobilisation forces in the country during election periods.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen meets Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen’s recent meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has triggered quiet but intense scrutiny within South Asian strategic circles. According to top government sources, the engagement is being seen as a calculated diplomatic move by Beijing ahead of Bangladesh’s high-stakes national elections, rather than any ideological endorsement of the Islamist party.

Sources say China is acutely aware that Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh remains one of the most potent street-mobilisation forces in the country during election periods. Regardless of its formal electoral performance, Jamaat’s organisational reach, cadre discipline, and ability to bring supporters onto the streets give it significant leverage during moments of political volatility. Beijing is believed to view this capacity as a “force multiplier" — one that can influence voter turnout, shape protest dynamics, and affect post-poll stability.

China’s concern, officials indicate, is rooted in uncertainty surrounding the post-election political configuration in Dhaka. With alliances fluid and outcomes unpredictable, Beijing is engaging with all influential stakeholders to safeguard its strategic and economic interests. Engagement with Jamaat, sources say, provides China with a fallback option — an actor that possesses both disruptive street power and the ability, if persuaded, to help calm tensions during unrest.

For Beijing, stability during and after the polls is critical. China has made substantial investments in Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative, spanning ports, power projects, and connectivity infrastructure. These assets are particularly vulnerable during prolonged political turmoil, protests, or violent confrontations. By meeting Jamaat’s top leadership through its local ambassador, Beijing is believed to be seeking informal assurances to limit spillover risks to Chinese projects and personnel during a volatile election phase.

Government sources also point out that Jamaat’s ideological positioning — traditionally hostile to India — makes it a natural counterweight to New Delhi’s influence in Dhaka. From Beijing’s perspective, keeping channels open with such actors helps ensure strategic balance, especially if Bangladesh’s post-election leadership recalibrates its foreign policy priorities.

The meeting is also seen as a subtle signal to Dhaka’s political establishment that China retains alternative options and is prepared to work with multiple power centres if required. At the same time, sources emphasise that the outreach should not be read as political backing. Rather, it reflects Beijing’s pragmatic approach of hedging risks by keeping all influential players “on the right side".

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