Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called upon China to help Bangladesh repatriate the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar.
"Help to send the Rohingya back to Myanmar," she was quoted as saying by Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud in a media briefing on her engagements on the second day of her visit to China, reports BSS.
The Premier made the remarks when a high-level Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a very important wing of the Chinese Communist Party led by its Chairman Wang Hunning, held a meeting with the Bangladesh Premier at Great Hall of the People here this morning.
During the meeting, different regional and bilateral issues, including the Rohingya crisis, reducing trade gap between Bangladesh and China, celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries in a meaningful way, measures to enhance their bilateral relations and contact between Bangladesh Awami League and Chinese Communist Party, were prominently and elaborately discussed.
The Bangladesh premier said Rohingyas took shelter over six and a half years ago but no initiative has been taken yet to repatriate them to Myanmar.
"This issue was discussed (during the meeting) with most importance," Dr Hasan said.
The CPCC Chairman said they will discuss the matter with Myanmar and will play the role of facilitator between Bangladesh and Myanmar over the issue.
"We will give our highest efforts to initiate Rohingya repatriation by holding discussions with Myanmar," Wang Hunning said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called for cooperation from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and smart country by 2041.
"The AIIB can also play a significant role in the future for the development journey of Bangladesh and the accomplishment of the dream of transforming the country into a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041," she said.
The premier made the remarks when a delegation of the AIIB led by its President Jin Liqun paid a courtesy call to the prime minister at her Place of Residence, reports BSS.
Finance Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told newsmen while briefing about the outcome of the second day's China visit.
During the meeting, the prime minister sought finance from the AIIB for infrastructure development of Bangladesh, river dredging and building climate resilience to protect the country from the adverse impact of climate change.
Noting that her government has been building climate resilience houses in coastal belts, she sought financial support to this end.
The premier also recalled the contribution of the AIIB to the development of Bangladesh.
"The Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank has played a very important role for Bangladesh in the past," she said.
Sheikh Hasina requested the AIIB to further reduce its loan interest rate for Bangladesh.
In reply, the AIIB president said the bank had earlier given special concessions for Bangladesh and will again consider giving the same benefit.
He continued that Bangladesh is the largest browser of his bank.
AIIB vice president and other high officials of the bank accompanied its President.
Finance Minister A H Mahmood Ali, prime minister's Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad were present, among others, during the briefing.
