Bangladesh seeks China's help to resolve Rohingya crisis as 1.3m refugees strain resources

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought China's cooperation in resolving the protracted Rohingya crisis, highlighting the mounting economic, social, demographic and environmental pressures Bangladesh faces from hosting 1.3 million refugees.

Chinese Communist Party (CPC) Central Committee International Department Minister Liu Haixing, in response, said Beijing was aware of the crisis and would convey the Bangladeshi prime minister's concerns to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The issue came up during a meeting between Tarique Rahman and Liu at the Prime Minister's Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.

The prime minister's appeal comes as Bangladesh continues to shoulder the burden of hosting a large Rohingya population who fled persecution in Myanmar, with efforts to secure their safe and voluntary repatriation yet to produce a lasting solution.

During the meeting, Liu conveyed President Xi's greetings to Tarique Rahman. The prime minister, in return, extended his greetings to the Chinese president and Premier Li Qiang.

Liu said a joint declaration on ushering in a new era of bilateral relations had been issued during Tarique Rahman's visit to Beijing. He expressed hope that the two countries would expand areas of mutual cooperation in line with the declaration.

He reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's development and expressed confidence that bilateral relations would deepen under the current government.

Tarique Rahman said the foundation of Bangladesh-China relations was laid during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman and that the relationship had long enjoyed a special place in the hearts of the people of both countries.

He said it was their responsibility to preserve the historic ties and pass them on to future generations.

Referring to Ziaur Rahman's visit to China, the prime minister said Bangladesh's canal excavation programme was launched following that visit and later gained widespread popularity, contributing to agricultural development.

The current government has also taken an initiative to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals, which would benefit farmers and ordinary people while helping protect biodiversity and maintain environmental balance, he said.

Both sides also stressed the need to strengthen institutional ties and cooperation between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Communist Party of China.

Liu expressed China's interest in expanding and diversifying relations between the two parties and invited a BNP delegation led by its secretary general to visit China.

The Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor also featured in the discussions. Liu expressed China's support for Bangladesh's inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

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

Liu was accompanied by Chinese Embassy Charge d'Affaires in Bangladesh Dr Liu Yuyin, Peng Xiubin, director general of the CPC International Department's Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs, and other senior officials.