A Myanmar Rohingya refugee child look on from his shelter at a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 28, 2024. - Reuters
DHAKA (Bernama-UNB): Bangladesh has sought a more active role from China in resolving the Rohingya crisis, as Dhaka believes China has significant influence over Myanmar, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported on Tuesday.
"China has a lot of influence on Myanmar. Let’s accept this reality. We would look forward to a more active Chinese role ensuring that we can send them back,” said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, adding that China has been cooperating with Bangladesh in this regard.
Describing the Rohingya crisis as a significant issue for Bangladesh, he said their repatriation to Myanmar is the only solution.
"We know there is only one solution - they (Rohingyas) have to go back to their homes - Myanmar,” said the Foreign Adviser while speaking at a seminar in Dhaka on Monday.
Seeking the international community’s support for the repatriation of the Rohingyas, Hossain said there are other solutions often suggested but none of those solutions are viable.
He said the Rohingya crisis should not be repeated and their return should be ensured with their rights and security.
Hossain stressed Bangladesh and China always treat each other with equity and render each other support, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and win-win cooperation.
The Chinese Embassy, in collaboration with the Centre for Chinese Studies(SIIS-DU) and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the seminar on "Bangladesh-China Relations: A Future Outlook.”
Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen attended the seminar as a special guest and delivered a keynote speech.
Director of the Academic Advisory Council, SIIS Prof Dr Yang Jiemian, Chair of the Committee on White Paper on the State of Bangladesh's Economy Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Director General, BIISS Major General Iftekhar Anis also present.
Highlighting the importance of a quick and international solution to the Rohingya crisis through joint efforts, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus recently said the solution to the problem is in the hands of the international community, not Bangladesh alone.
"We will keep on raising the issue. Malaysia will be supporting us in raising that. We can’t wait indefinitely. This is something we have to resolve as soon as possible,” he said while responding to a question from UNB during a joint press appearance with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a hotel in Dhaka.
"We need to find a solution to that problem. And we work together through ASEAN, through the Malaysian government, and the broader international community,” he said.
Malaysia will assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.
Seven years ago, on August 25, 2017, some 700,000 Rohingya men, women and children were forced to flee Myanmar and seek protection in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
In 2024, humanitarian agencies appealed for US$852 million to assist 1.35 million people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis in surrounding communities. However, this appeal remains inadequately funded, according to the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR). - Bernama-UNB
