China reiterates prompt Rohingya repatriation but the previous two attempts failed

China wants prompt Rohingya repatriation and is interested in building regional connectivity in South and South East Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China expressed its views during the 12th Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Dhaka and Beijing. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong led their respective sides in the meeting.

Beijing reiterated its commitment to facilitate the early, safe, sustainable, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas to Rakhine. Bangladesh, with Chinese support, signed a bilateral deal with Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation. Later, China also developed a trilateral mechanism involving Bangladesh and Myanmar for repatriation. Despite two attempts, no Rohingya volunteered to return to Myanmar, arguing that they lack security and a guarantee of citizenship. They also want back the properties that they had left. After a Rohingya delegation’s visit to Rakhine on May 5, some of them expressed the same concerns.

Dhaka conveyed the Rohingyas’ concerns to Beijing, which said it also sent the message to the Myanmar government and foreign ministry officials. Bangladesh, which is sheltering more than one million Rohingyas, is concerned that the protracted Rohingya crisis may be a security issue in the whole region and that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region is not possible without solving the crisis. Western countries, including the US, say the conditions in Rakhine are not yet conducive for repatriation.

If the repatriation is delayed further, it would also bring challenges for Bangladesh to take any interim and mid-term measures to manage the Rohingya crisis. The delay in repatriation would also increase the suffering of the Rohingyas living in the camps. The living conditions in the congested camp environment are not the same as their lives in their home. A holistic approach has to be taken to continue the efforts in pursuing global and regional powers to keep pressure on Myanmar to repatriate its displaced citizens. The second one is to keep mobilising the funds and grants to ensure a dignified life for the Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The third is to hold regular dialogues with Myanmar to keep under pressure.