It is good news the the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday assured that China would persuade Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis through bilateral discussions. Appreciating Hasina for her humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis, Li Keqiang said China can understand that it is a big challenge for Bangladesh. The Chinese PM said they thought the crisis would have to be solved through bilateral channels. During the talks, Hasina said peace and stability is very essential for development, but the displacement of the Rohingyas from their homes in Myanmar affects the peace and stability in the region. Mentioning that the Rohingya crisis would worsen with the passage of time, she said it needed to be resolved quickly.
Despite being saddled with an enormous economic and social burden, Bangladesh has remained reluctant to voice concerns about Indian, Chinese and Russian policies regarding the Rohingya issue. Myanmar purchases military equipment from both Russia and China. China sells arms and has invested heavily in Myanmar’s natural resources, and India has a growing commercial and investment interest in Myanmar and wants to check-mate Chinese strategic outreach. Trapped in the vortex of such crisis, Bangladesh is forced to act as a mere fiddle in these competing ethno-religious narratives and geopolitical interests.
We believe China can play a more
proactive role in Rohingya repartition
by exerting its influence on Myanmar
The international community, which has failed so far to put adequate pressure on the military junta in Myanmar to take their citizens back, should realise the dangerous effect of prolonged internment in camps. Every day that passes increases the vulnerability of the refugees. Bangladesh expects a more vigorous role of the international community in the diplomatic front to make Myanmar take back the Rohingyas.
The military rulers in Myanmar have made every possible effort to thwart repatriation. Bangladesh has done the best it can in spite of its own multifarious constraints, and it is now for the international community to do everything to help a persecuted ethnic minority return to the country they belong. In this regard, China should play prudent role by exerting its influence on Myanmar.
