Dhaka seeks Beijing’s support over Rohingya issue

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Zuo meets foreign minister AK Abdul Momen at his office on Thursday, 16 May, 2019. Photo: Courtesy
Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Zuo meets foreign minister AK Abdul Momen at his office on Thursday, 16 May, 2019. Photo: Courtesy

Bangladesh has sought China's strong support so that Myanmar moves in the right direction for resolving the Rohingya crisis, reports UNB.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen raised the issue when Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Zuo met him at his office on Thursday.

The foreign minister appreciated the Chinese humanitarian assistance for the displaced people of Rakhine State. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas.

Ambassador Zuo said China is willing to play a "constructive role" in realising the repatriation of displaced people and will facilitate communication between Bangladesh and Myanmar to find a practical solution to the crisis.

Foreign minister Momen and ambassador Zhang shared their concerns that the protracted presence of Rohingyas in Bangladesh may disrupt the regional peace and stability as vested quarters are trying to radicalise the displaced people.

They underscored the need for the early repatriation of the displaced people, said the ministry of foreign affairs.

The Chinese ambassador deeply appreciated the proactive engagement of the foreign minister in promoting bilateral relations to a newer height.

He underlined the importance of the bilateral consultation mechanisms to steer the practical cooperation between the two countries.

The foreign minister also appreciated the fact that many bilateral instruments worth billions of dollar investment were signed during Xi Jinping's visit to Bangladesh in 2016 when the bilateral relationship got elevated to strategic partnership.