Repatriation of Rohingyas only solution: Envoy

Staff Reporter :
Repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas is the only solution for the resolution of the crisis, newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said on Sunday.
 “Beijing believes that the repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar is the only solution. A high level meeting between China and Myanmar is continuing in this regard,’ he said, recalling the contribution of the government of China on the issue.
 He said this while paying a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, the State Minister thanked China for its active role in a trilateral initiative among
Bangladesh, Myanmar and China to provide a platform for dialogue to promote the early return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.
He hoped that the Pilot Project of repatriation would be executed at an early date.
Shahriar Alam also informed the Chinese envoy about the ongoing conflicts in Bangladesh territory.
He wished Ambassador Yao successful tenure in Bangladesh and assured him of full cooperation in discharge of his duties.
Both sides cordially exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral cooperation of mutual interests, including trade and investment, infrastructure development, connectivity, Covid situation etc.
The State Minister also highlighted the importance of establishing direct air connectivity and requested the Chinese ambassador to consider Bangladesh as a suitable place for industry relocation from China. The Chinese envoy showed interest to conclude an MOU on PPP for the growth of bilateral trade and commerce.
Congratulating the new ambassador on the Chinese New Year’s Day, the State Minister thanked China for being the largest bilateral trade partner of Bangladesh.
During the meeting, he also thanked the Chinese government for its support in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic and the repatriation of Bangladeshi students from China and their subsequent return to China to continue their higher studies.
At the meeting, Shahriar Alam hoped that the bilateral relations between the two countries would reach new heights during the tenure of the new ambassador.
The Chinese envoy assured Bangladesh of building a ‘smart Bangladesh’.
Earlier on December 8 last year, the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming told the government of Bangladesh that the repatriation process may start in 2023.
After being persecuted by the Myanmar army in 2017, around eight lakh Rohingyas fled their homeland and took shelter inside Bangladesh territory.
 Currently over 1.1 lakh Rohingyas are staying in Bangladesh in around 33 camps in Ukhia and Teknaf.
Apart from this, around 6000 Rohingyas are staying on the no man’s land near Ghumdhum union of Naikhongchhari.
These Rohingyas are now in great trouble as regular bombardment and firing continues between Myanmar Army and rebel groups. Even Rohingyas are injured or killed by firing.
Bangladesh is urging the international community to resolve the crisis, saying it has been created by Myanmar and the solution also lies there.