New Delhi: China has exported a variety of military technology to Bangladesh, claimed a research paper, adding it can help Bangladesh create a defence industrial base. The research paper, titled 'National Image of China in Bangladesh', was released on Tuesday. Imtiaz Ahmed, a former Dhaka University professor and executive director of Dhaka-based public policy body Centre for Alternatives, and China's ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen were present at the paper release in Dhaka.

This comes weeks ahead of the proposed visit of Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus to China. He is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 28.

The research paper claimed that China has transferred technology to Bangladesh Ordnance Factories and Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Ltd for small and medium-sized weapons such as rifles, rocket launchers, manpads, light utility vehicles, etc.

In 2012, with Chinese assistance, Bangladesh Navy included the first domestically-produced patrol vessel built at Khulna Shipyard Ltd in its fleet.

"In 2014, the two countries signed four agreements on military cooperation, one of which was an agreement where the People's Liberation Army (PLA) would provide military assistance to the Bangladesh Armed Forces, including free training and supplies. Another agreement stated that PLA would assist Bangladesh in setting up a language lab at Bangladesh University of Professionals. Bangladesh and China also cooperate in United Nations peacekeeping operations," the paper said.