The "Golden Silk Road Media Awards Bangladesh 2026" was held in Dhaka to encourage high-standard, responsible journalism highlighting Bangladesh-China bilateral relations, development cooperation, and enduring friendship. Organized for the second time, the competition honored a total of 26 journalists, photojournalists, and media professionals across four main categories and one special category.

The awards were presented to the winners at a grand ceremony held on Wednesday at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium in the capital, Dhaka. Patronized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, the awards were conferred across four categories through a joint initiative of 12 leading journalist associations and clubs of the country. Journalists, photojournalists, documentary filmmakers, and multimedia content creators working across various Bangladeshi media outlets participated in the competition.

Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sent a congratulatory message on the occasion, which was read aloud on stage by Sakib Sikandar, News Editor of China Media Group (CMG).

In his message, the President stated: "I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all involved with the Golden Silk Road Media Awards Bangladesh 2026 competition. I offer my warm congratulations to all winning and participating Bangladeshi journalists and media professionals. The friendly relations between Bangladesh and China are built upon a long-standing foundation of mutual trust, respect, and cooperation. Through this initiative, an important platform has been created for Bangladeshi journalists for experience sharing, mutual learning, and professional collaboration."

He added: "I believe this event will further solidify the foundation of mutual respect, trust, and cooperation between our two countries, and that this relationship will grow deeper and more multifaceted in the future."

Bangladesh`s Minister of Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury graced the event as the Chief Guest. Special Guests included Press Secretary to President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Md. Sarwar Alam, Chargé d`Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh Dr. Liu Yuyin, Director General of Bangladesh Betar A S M Zahid, and Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Md. Harun-or-Rashid.

Also present at the ceremony were Yu Guangyue Anandi, Director of the Bengali Department of China Media Group; Han Kun, President of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh; and Zhuang Lifeng, President of the Apan Friendship Exchange Center.

In addition, Member of Parliament for Gazipur-5 A K M Fazlul Haque Milon, along with representatives from various media outlets, journalist organizations, and working journalists, attended the ceremony.

Speaking as Chief Guest, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said: "Responsible and quality journalism can play a vital role in further cementing commercial, cultural, and friendly relations between Bangladesh and China. This award ceremony will carry forward the friendly ties between the two nations. I believe responsible media is uniquely positioned to advance bilateral commercial and cultural ties. Media is not merely a medium for disseminating news, but an essential arena for fostering mutual understanding, friendship, cultural exchange, and international cooperation."

He added: "The media plays a positive role in making the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and China more meaningful and dynamic. Such initiatives will create new avenues for professional networking and mutual cooperation among journalists and media workers of both countries."

Special Guest Dr. Liu Yuyin, Chargé d`Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, said: "This year marks a new historical starting point in China`s modernization process. China continues its modernization drive through development and is sharing diverse opportunities and prospects with Bangladesh. From technological innovation to green development, and from rural revitalization to improving ordinary people`s living standards, China`s progress has offered countless compelling stories and experiences worth sharing. At the same time, this has opened new horizons for mutual media exchange and cooperation."

He further remarked: "Highlight the long-standing history of deep friendship between China and Bangladesh through objective, fact-based reporting. Bring forward stories of ordinary people`s lives and depict the real development landscape of our two countries grounded in facts. Through this, readers will come to know China in its true, multifaceted form and appreciate the depth and sincerity of our bilateral friendship more profoundly. I extend heartfelt congratulations to each winner at today`s event. I wish you all continued success in your work and look forward to seeing more remarkable and exceptional stories from you in the future. Long live China-Bangladesh friendship."

In a special video address, An Xiaoyu, Editor-in-Chief of China`s state broadcaster CGTN, said: "I am delighted to join you online at the grand launching ceremony of the 2026 Golden Silk Road Media Awards Bangladesh. On behalf of CGTN, I extend sincere respects to the co-organizers of this event—Bangladesh China Apan Media Club, National Press Club of Bangladesh, Dhaka Reporters Unity, and others. I greet all distinguished guests present today and extend warm congratulations to all award-winning Bangladeshi media professionals."

List of Awardees
A total of 26 journalists were awarded across four categories, including two joint winners in the special "Top View" category:

Technology, Health, and Education Category: Arshad Ali of Bangla Tribune won the 1st prize. Md. Touhidul Islam of Independent Television and A N M Mohibub Uz Zaman of Daily Sun jointly received the 2nd prize. The three 3rd prize winners were Mursalin Ahmed of Dainik Sabuj Bangla, Rafiqul Islam of Daily Sun, and Md. Habibur Rahman of Kaler Kantho.

Photography and Multimedia Category: Babul Talukder of Dainik Dinkal won the 1st prize, receiving the award from veteran journalist and President of the National Press Club Hasan Hafiz. Speaking to CMG immediately afterward, he expressed joy and emotion over the recognition at such a prestigious event. Md. Imtiaz Ahmed of ETV and Waliul Biswas of Independent Television jointly won the 2nd prize, while Md. Mahmud Zaman of Daily Times of Bangladesh, Kaiyum Hasan Rishad of News24, and Md. Ariful Islam of Dhaka Post secured the 3rd prize.

Economy and Diplomacy Category: Alamgir Swapan of Jamuna Television was awarded the 1st prize, dedicating the honor to his parents and expressing hope that such recognition will further propel China-Bangladesh ties forward. The 2nd prize winners were F M Abdur Rahman Masum of Dhaka Post and Emdadul Haque Tuhin of Jagonews24. Faruk Ahmad Arif of The Climate Watch, Md. Ariful Islam of Daily Sun, and Md. Iqbal Hossain of Bangladesh Television (BTV) received the 3rd prize.

Sports, Entertainment, Travel, and Miscellaneous Category: Farhana Haque Neela of Sarabangla won the 1st prize. Ruhul Amin Bhuiyan of Rupali Bangladesh and A R Badal of RTV won the 2nd prize. The three 3rd prize winners were Mohammad Omar Faruk of Desh Rupantor, Shahadat Hossain of Dhaka Post, and Zarif Faiyaz of The Daily Star, who expressed his delight to CMG upon receiving the honor.

Special `Top View` Category: Special Correspondent Rezwan Uz Zaman and Videographer Md. Moktar Hossain of Channel 24 jointly won the special award for generating the highest social media viewership among all submitted entries.

In each category, the first prize winner received a check for BDT 100,000; each of the two second prize winners received BDT 50,000; and each of the three third prize winners received a check for BDT 30,000, alongside crests and certificates.

The event was organized by CMG Dhaka Studio and Apan Friendship Exchange Center, with cooperation from Bangladesh China Apan Media Club, National Press Club of Bangladesh, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangladesh Photojournalist Association, Bangladesh Cine-Journalist Association, Bangladesh Sports Press Association, Online Editors Alliance, Technology Media Guild Bangladesh, Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum, Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh, and Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh.

Co-organizers included Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh, International Mother Language Institute, and Overseas Chinese Association in Bangladesh, with overall support from the Embassy of the People`s Republic of China in Bangladesh.

The cultural segment featured Chinese and Bengali musical performances by Bangladeshi singer Masha Islam, as well as a live Bengali dubbing performance of the popular Chinese television drama Nirvana in Fire (Lang Ya Bang) by acclaimed actors Manoj Pramanik and Mousumi Mou.

Source: Lutfar, Nahar, Sakib | China Media Group (CMG)