Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said they agree that there is no other solution except safe repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
“It is a big problem for Bangladesh,” he said, noting that conflict broke out in Myanmar and is intensifying in Rakhine, too.
Bangladesh is hosting nearly 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char with babies born every year.
Briefing a small group of journalists at the Embassy, the envoy said repatriation is the only way out and China will continue to play its role.
He laid emphasis on working together as it is a shared responsibility to end violence in Myanmar and create conditions for the repatriation of the Rohingyas.
During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to China, the two sides shared the view that early repatriation is the only way to resolve the issue concerning the displaced people from Rakhine State of Myanmar, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
The two sides called on all parties in Myanmar to bridge their differences through dialogue and consultation and underscored the cessation of hostilities in Rakhine State as soon as possible.
The Bangladesh side expressed its appreciation and requested China to continue playing a constructive role in facilitating dialogue for the peaceful settlement of the issue concerning the displaced people from Rakhine State.
The Chinese side commended efforts made over the years by Bangladesh to provide humanitarian assistance for the displaced people and expressed support for Bangladesh and Myanmar to find a mutually acceptable solution through friendly consultations and following the arrangements on repatriation existing between the countries.
China will continue to provide support for this purpose to the best of its abilities, including providing a platform for dialogue to help achieve early repatriation of the displaced people, according to the joint statement issued after the visit.
The Ambassador said the two countries also reached important consensus on international and regional issues such as the repatriation of the displaced people from Rakhine State of Myanmar, the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the Gaza crisis, the promotion and protection of human rights, and climate change, and stand ready to work together to build a community with a shared future for Asia and mankind.
“China-Bangladesh cooperation goes beyond the bilateral scope and is committed to jointly maintaining world peace and stability, safeguarding the common interests of developing countries, and international fairness and justice,” he said.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the embassy Liu Yuyin, among others, was present at the media briefing.
