PM Seeks China’s Support on Rohingya Crisis; Liu to Convey Dhaka’s Concerns to Xi

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged China to play a role in resolving the longstanding Rohingya crisis, highlighting the growing economic, social, demographic and environmental pressures on Bangladesh from hosting around 1.3 million Rohingyas.

He raised the issue during a courtesy meeting with Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at the Prime Minister's Office at Bangladesh Secretariat this morning.

PM's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin said Liu acknowledged China's awareness of the crisis and assured that he would convey the Prime Minister's concerns to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting also focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China. Liu conveyed greetings from President Xi to Tarique Rahman, who reciprocated by sending his greetings to Xi and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.

Referring to the joint declaration on establishing a new era of bilateral relations, signed during Tarique Rahman's visit to Beijing, Liu expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would continue to deepen in line with the agreement.

He reaffirmed Beijing's continued commitment to Bangladesh's development and expressed optimism about the country's economic growth and future prospects under Tarique Rahman's leadership.

The two sides also discussed the proposed Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Liu said China supports Bangladesh's efforts to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Both parties emphasised the importance of strengthening ties between the Communist Party of China and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Liu said Beijing was keen to broaden and diversify party-level cooperation and invited a BNP delegation led by its Secretary General to visit China.

In response, Tarique Rahman said the foundation of Bangladesh-China relations was established during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, adding that the current generation had a responsibility to carry the longstanding friendship forward.

Recalling Ziaur Rahman's visit to China, the Prime Minister said it was followed by the introduction of a canal excavation programme in Bangladesh, which gained widespread public support and contributed to agricultural development.

He added that the current government had launched an initiative to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals to support farmers, protect biodiversity and maintain environmental balance.

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

The Chinese delegation included Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Chargé d'Affaires Dr Liu Yuyin, Peng Xiubin, Director General of the CPC International Department's Bureau of Southeast and South Asian Affairs, and other senior officials.