China proposes new economic corridor from Yunnan via Myanmar to Bangladesh

China has proposed an economic corridor linking its southwestern Yunnan province with Myanmar and Bangladesh, reviving a scaled-down version of the long-stalled Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor. The proposal was made during Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Beijing in June 2026. Unlike the original BCIM plan, this initiative excludes India initially but leaves the door open for future Indian participation. The corridor aims to improve connectivity between Yunnan and the Bay of Bengal, reduce transport costs, and help address Bangladesh's massive trade imbalance with China—where China exports $18 billion annually but imports less than $1 billion. Bangladesh has urged China to import more Bangladeshi goods including pharmaceuticals and leather. The phased approach reflects Beijing's willingness to pursue smaller, flexible partnerships in South Asia rather than waiting for consensus among all four BCIM members.