Dhaka, Beijing review Rohingya repatriation effort

Bangladesh and China on Sunday (28 May) reviewed the ongoing efforts for the repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar smoothly and on an expedited basis.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen thanked the Chinese government for making sincere efforts for the safe and quick repatriation of the displaced population.

Momen and Vice Foreign Minister of China Sun Weidon agreed that the problem needed an urgent solution because if left unaddressed for any longer, it could potentially evolve as a tangible threat to regional security and stability.

During his meeting with Momen, the vice foreign minister of China highly lauded the remarkable socio-economic transformation of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Momen highly appreciated the substantial contributions made by China towards the developmental journey of Bangladesh.

He profusely admired the excellent bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and expressed optimism that the constructive and collaborative relations would be further strengthened in the days ahead.

Momen congratulated Sun for the successful holding of the bilateral consultations on 27 May in Dhaka.

Noting the deep cultural, historical and civilization links between the two countries, Foreign Minister Momen mentioned the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to China in the 1950s and the book he wrote on what he saw.

Sharing his admiration for the magnificent Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Sun mentioned that the structure stands out as a new symbol of the friendship between Bangladesh and China and observed that the two countries could achieve miracles through greater and better synergies.

Momen invited and encouraged a larger flow of Chinese FDI into Bangladesh for the mutual benefit of both countries.

He recalled with profound appreciation the assistance that China offered during the Covid-19 pandemic and mentioned his brief meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister in Dhaka in January this year.

While discussing the facility of duty-free and quota-free access to 98% of Bangladeshi products to China, he hoped that all necessary measures would be taken so that Bangladesh could get optimum benefit out of this arrangement.

He also stressed an expedited implementation of the projects agreed during the last visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to Bangladesh.

Sun praised Bangladesh's energetic youth population capable of making a significant change in the society and economy.

He referred to the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping and hoped that Bangladesh reaped the maximum benefits out of this grand scheme.