Bangladesh seeks China's assist to repatriate Rohingya refugees | World News

Bangladesh on Sunday sought cooperation from China to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar throughout a go to by International Minister Wang Yi, who promised higher commerce ties, funding and assist for infrastructure improvement within the South Asian nations.

China had used its affect in Myanmar to dealer a November 2017 settlement to repatriate about 700,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar in August that yr. Regardless of makes an attempt to ship them again, the refugees refused, fearing hazard in Myanmar, which was exacerbated by the army takeover final yr.

Yi arrived in Dhaka on Saturday night and met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and International Minister A.Okay. Abdul Momen. They mentioned bilateral and international points earlier than his departure on Sunday morning, stated Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh’s junior minister for overseas affairs.

Bangladesh has sturdy relations with China, which is a significant commerce accomplice largely for uncooked supplies. However sustaining shut ties with Beijing is difficult for Bangladesh, which additionally balances diplomatic and commerce relationship with each India and america, China's major rivals.

Greater than 500 Chinese language firms are lively in Bangladesh. China is concerned within the nation’s all main infrastructure initiatives reminiscent of seaports, a river tunnel and highways, and helped constructed its largest bridge over the River Padma at a price of $3.6 billion.

Amid latest tensions between China and Taiwan, Bangladesh issued a press release reiterating its assist for the “one-China” coverage. After profitable elections in 2008, Hasina’s administration closed the Taiwanese enterprise consultant workplace in Dhaka in response to a request from China, and since then China has elevated its engagement in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s garment trade, which brings in additional than 80% of overseas forex from exports, is closely depending on China for uncooked supplies.

On Sunday, Yi advised Hasina throughout a courtesy name that his nation considers Bangladesh as a “strategic improvement accomplice” and would proceed to assist it, stated Ihsanul Karim, the presidential press secretary.

The United News of Bangladesh company reported that Yi additionally promised to face beside Bangladesh “on all points at worldwide boards."

Alam stated that Yi agreed to develop commerce advantages by elevating to 99% duty-free entry of Bangladeshi services to Chinese language markets.

“It’s a excellent news for Bangladesh as we have now a thriving financial system primarily based on exports,” Alam stated. “We have already got duty-free entry for 98% of things exported to China. The remaining 2% ... has been vital and delicate. Now they've provided one other 1% from Sept. 1,” he stated, including that the brand new tax benefit is prone to embrace clothes, woven and different merchandise that had beforehand confronted some limitations.

He stated Bangladesh would get an inventory from China quickly concerning the services that may get duty-free entry.

Alam stated that Yi defined to the Bangladeshi overseas minister that “some nations misunderstand and misread” China. He didn't elaborate.

The junior minister stated China pledged to work repeatedly to resolve the Rohingya disaster and quoted Yi as saying that the inner challenges in Myanmar weren't solely troubling Bangladesh but additionally different nations.

”Our overseas minister strongly reiterated that Chinese language cooperation is required. China has progressed on resolving the Rohingya difficulty and we'd like the scenario to return to an finish,” Alam stated.

On Sunday, Bangladesh and China signed or renewed 4 agreements and memorandums of understanding on catastrophe administration, infrastructure and cultural exchanges.

Analyst Munshi Faiz Ahmad, who served as Bangladeshi ambassador in Beijing, stated that Yi's go to was very important for each nations.

“To resolve the Rohingya disaster Bangladesh wants assist from China. This go to will assist strengthen the bilateral relations," Ahmad advised The Related Press.

“To us, China is essential. We additionally want to keep up good relations with each India and america as they're additionally essential improvement companions of Bangladesh. There's nothing to be afraid of due to Bangladesh’s shut ties with China,” he stated.