Dhaka seeks Beijing's support to resolve Rohingya crisis

FT ONLINE

Bangladesh on Monday sought political support of China for a durable solution of Rohingya crisis.

Bangladesh appreciated Chinese humanitarian assistance for the displaced people of Rakhine State and sought political support of China to end the protracted Rohingya crisis, said State Minister for Shahriar Alam.

He sought the Chinese help as the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Zuo paid a courtesy call on him at the foreign ministry in Dhaka, said a ministry statement here.

"Both Myanmar and Bangladesh are friendly neighbours of China and China takes an impartial position on the issue," the Chinese envoy said in reply to his request.

The Chinese Ambassador expressed happiness at the progress achieved between Bangladesh and Myanmar through bilateral engagement.

When Alam expressed concern at the provocative action of Myanmar on the border to destabilise the repatriation process as was agreed by bilateral instruments, Zuo said that China is in communication with Myanmar and persuading them to act sincerely for repatriation of the displaced people of Rakhine State.

Ambassador Zhang Zuo recalled Chinese President Xi Jinping's milestone visit to Bangladesh in October 2016 when the bilateral relationship was elevated to "Strategic Partnership of Cooperation".

He expressed commitment to work with Bangladesh government to promote bilateral ties to a greater height through implementation of the decisions reached through consensus between two leaders of China and Bangladesh during President of China Xi Jinping's visit to Bangladesh.

The state minister sought the intervention of Chinese Ambassador for speedy implementation of infrastructure projects financed by China. He particularly mentioned two projects- Padma Bridge Rail Link and Expansion and Strengthening of Power System Network under Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) Area Project.

Alam hoped that development cooperation between Bangladesh and China will be driven by China's Belt and Road and Initiative.