China stands ready to promote Rohingya repatriation: Envoy

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DHAKA, Sept 19, 2019 (BSS) – Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said his country stands ready to mediate between Bangladesh and Myanmar to promote the repatriation process of forcibly displaced Rohingyas in an active manner as soon as possible.

“China is a friendly neighbour, and stands ready to mediate and promote (Rohingya) the repatriation process in an active manner to help find a solution as soon as possible,” he said in a statement, issued by Chinese embassy here today.

The statement was issued as the Chinese envoy visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar from September 15 to 17.

The envoy went to Rohingya camps in Teknaf and Ukhia of Cox’s Bazar, including the one on “zero line” along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, and listen the concerns and demands of the displaced Myanmar nationals.

During the visit Ambassador Li said, “It is China’s firm belief that dialogue and negotiation between Bangladesh and Myanmar is the only way forward, while the international community should play a constructive role as per the wishes of the two countries.”

The statement said the visit is the latest embodiment of China, as a good neighbour and friend of both Bangladesh and Myanmar as the Asian economic power has been engaged in making efforts on mediating and facilitating the Rohingya repatriation.

“It demonstrates the strong determination of China to uphold peace and stability and to promote development and prosperity in the region,” it added.

As a responsible partner, it said China has been playing an important role in mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar and facilitating the repatriation process as well as handling the crisis following the large influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh.

In the recent two years, China has been mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar on various occasions, and trying its best to bring the two countries together in finding the way out.

The Chinese government has so far provided 2000 tents, 3000 blankets and 20 million RMB worth of rice to Bangladesh to help the Rohingyas.

Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million forcefully displaced Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and most of them arrived there since August 25, 2017 after a military crackdown by Myanmar, which the UN called a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” by other rights groups.