PM seeks China’s support to resolve Rohingya crisis

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought China’s support in resolving the protracted Rohingya crisis, saying the presence of around 1.3 million displaced people in Bangladesh is placing enormous economic, social, demographic and environmental pressure on the country.

He raised the issue during a meeting with Liu Haixing, minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.

Liu assured the prime minister that China was aware of the crisis and would convey his concerns to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting also focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and enhancing ties between the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the CPC.

Liu conveyed greetings from President Xi to Tarique Rahman, who reciprocated with greetings for the Chinese president and Premier Li Qiang.

Recalling the joint declaration on a new era of bilateral relations issued during Tarique Rahman’s visit to Beijing, Liu expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would continue to expand in line with the understanding.

He reaffirmed China’s commitment to Bangladesh’s development and expressed confidence in the country’s economic growth and development prospects under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

The two sides also discussed the proposed Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Liu said China supported Bangladesh’s inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a major regional trade agreement.

Emphasising stronger political and organisational ties, both sides called for closer cooperation between the CPC and the BNP. Liu said China wanted to expand and diversify party-level relations and invited a BNP delegation led by its secretary general to visit China.

Tarique Rahman said the foundation of Bangladesh-China relations had been laid during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, adding that the present generation had a responsibility to carry the longstanding friendship forward.

Recalling Ziaur Rahman's visit to China, the prime minister said it was followed by the launch of a canal excavation programme in Bangladesh, which gained widespread popularity and contributed to agricultural development.

He said the present government had taken an initiative to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country to support farmers, preserve biodiversity and maintain environmental balance.

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Vice-Chairman Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam were present at the meeting.

The Chinese delegation included Chinese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires in Dhaka Dr Liu Yuyin, Peng Xiubin, Director General of the CPC International Department's Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs, and other senior officials.