Delay in Rohingya repatriation concerns Chinese ambassador
There are allegations that some Rohingyas are involved in drug trafficking
Li Jiming, China's ambassador to Bangladesh, has expressed concern as the repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar has not yet begun.
The Chinese ambassador expressed concern during a meeting with Bangladeshi foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in Dhaka on Sunday, reads a press release.
Dr Momen sought China's cooperation in repatriating Rohingyas to Myanmar, mentioning that if the repatriation process of Rohingyas is prolonged, they will become a threat to the security of the area.
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There are allegations that some Rohingyas are involved in drug trafficking, and six people were killed in recent clashes between two groups of Rohingya.
Moreover, all these incidents are gradually increasing as there is no barbwire fence at the refugee camps. Due to the delay in the repatriation process, the dissatisfaction of the local people with the Rohingya and foreign aid agencies is also increasing day by day.
The foreign minister also expressed Bangladesh's concern over the mobilisation of soldiers on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.
Dr Momen noted that providing humanitarian assistance and improving the quality of life for the Rohingya was not enough to solve the problem. Rather, a permanent solution to this problem is needed through their repatriation. The Chinese ambassador agreed with him.
The foreign minister said the killers of a Chinese national in Pirojpur would be brought to justice soon and the government was very active in this regard. Two people, including the main accused in the incident, have already been arrested.
Dr Momen requested the Chinese government to renew the visas of Bangladeshi students stuck in China due to the Covid-19 epidemic. The Chinese ambassador assured the foreign minister that the Chinese government would take a quick decision on the students. Li Jiming said visas have already been issued for business and family reunions.
The Chinese Ambassador informed that the book Amar Dekha Noya China (the new China I have seen) written by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is being translated into Chinese and will be published soon. He thanked President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for extending greetings on the occasion of Bangladesh's diplomatic relations with China.
The Chinese ambassador also handed over a letter from Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to his counterpart in Bangladesh. In the letter, Wang Yi thanked Dr Momen for mentioning that Hong Kong is an internal matter of China.
The foreign minister reiterated Bangladesh's support for the One China Policy.
