China to help repatriate Rohingyas: Envoy
China will extend all possible cooperation to Bangladesh for the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar, said its outgoing Ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Zuo yesterday.
"I myself visited Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. I saw the plight of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, and China will provide the necessary support for their safe return," he said when he made his farewell call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban, the official residence of the president, in the afternoon.
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas and most of them entered the country from August 25, 2017 amid military crackdowns and ethnic cleansing of the minority group in Rakhine state.
President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.
Congratulating the Chinese envoy on successful completion of his tenure in Bangladesh, the president said the bilateral relation between Bangladesh and China are excellent and the ties have been expanding gradually.
Referring to the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China and that of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Dhaka earlier, he said, "The visits have strengthened the ties in different sectors, including commerce and investment."
Abdul Hamid also recalled the Chinese government's cooperation in socioeconomic development in Bangladesh. "Many mega projects are being implemented here with financial and technical support from China, which is contributing largely to the national development," he said.
Mentioning the Chinese government's assurance of cooperation to repatriate Rohingyas, the president expressed hope that the forcibly-displaced Myanmar nationals would be able to return to their homeland in a safe and dignified manner as soon as possible.
The Chinese ambassador expressed his deep gratitude to the president and the Bangladesh government for their heartfelt cooperation in discharging his assignment in Bangladesh.
President's Secretary Sampad Barua and Military Secretary Major General SM Shamim-Uz-Zaman were present during the meeting.
Zhang Zuo's spouse Yang Yuanchun, daughter Zhang Biyao and attaché of the political section of the Chinese Embassy Hu Zhiying were present from the Chinese side while Faisal Ahmed, director general (East Asia and Pacific) of the foreign ministry, was present from the Bangladesh side.
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