Beijing is ready to support Dhaka in ensuring the safe return of the 700,000 Rohingyas who have been forced into Bangladesh by a campaign of violent persecution in their home state in Myanmar.
The assurance came in Beijing on Friday during bilateral talks between Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
“China will offer humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh to help build shelter and feed the hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, according to AP.
“China hopes the repatriation of refugees will begin as early as possible. We will contribute our efforts to help Bangladesh with more humanitarian aid in line with their needs.”
About 700,000 Rohingya have fled into neighbouring Bangladesh since August 2017, to escape what the United Nations and US officials have called a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” by Myanmar’s government.
On Friday’s pledge of support will be viewed by Bangladesh as a significant act of reassurance from China, which maintains close ties to Myanmar’s powerful military and has hitherto refused to join international condemnation of the violence waged against the Rohngya.
Myanmar has been denying the Rohingya people citizenship and other rights and considers them immigrants from Bangladesh, even though many have lived in Myanmar for generations.
The Chinese foreign ministry has previously described the issue as an internal affair containing “complicated, historical, national and religious factors.”
During the meeting, however, Mahmood briefed the Chinese delegation on the status of the Rohingya refugees.
The minister sought the support of China in encouraging Myanmar to create a conducive environment in Rakhine State for their safe return and resettlement.
“The displaced Rohingyas are so traumatized that they want solid security guarantees for their return,” Mahmood said.
“They want to return to their original villages and not to any camps; they must be accorded opportunities to earn their livelihoods.”
Wang Yi affirmed the full support of China in realizing early repatriation of the displaced people to Rakhine and improve the resettlement environment in Rakhine by helping them build houses and creating economic opportunities.
Friday’s encouraging words must still be translated into firm action, however.
The UN refugee agency has signed a preliminary agreement for the return of the refugees with Bangladesh and Myanmar, but this was conditional on assurances of a safe and orderly repatriation which, aid workers say, is yet to be seen on the ground in Myanmar.
Joint Statement reviewed
Separately in on Friday’s meeting, the foreign ministers reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the Joint Statement issued during the historic visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Bangladesh in 2016.
Both sides emphasized the need for continued high level dialogue between the two countries, while agreeing to work together closely for the common development of the region.
For his part, foreign minister Mahmood sought the support of his counterpart in the timely implementation of the different projects signed during President Xi’s visit.
Earlier in the day, Mahmood briefed Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan on the milestone achievements of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, especially in socio-economic areas.
Wang Qishan said the people of Bangladesh are on the right course with hard work and determination to transform their country into “Golden Bengal,” as was dreamt by the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
China, Wang said, is pursuing steadfastly with their dreams to rejuvenate the country, as articulated by President Xi.
Mahmood will conclude his three-day visit to Beijing on Saturday.
