BD, Myanmar to sit together to solve Rohingya problem: Chinese Envoy

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang on Sunday said Bangladesh and Myanmar will sit together and solve the Rohingya problem.

"We also expressed our commitment that we stand with Bangladesh (regarding Rohingya problem). We do hope that this issue will be settled as soon as possible peacefully," he said.

The Chinese envoy was addressing a function at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) here marking the handover of acceptance certificate of Chinese firefighting equipment to Bangladesh with Chinese grant.

Ma Mingqiang signed the acceptance certificate on behalf of the Chinese side while the Secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Md Shah Kamal on behalf of the Bangladesh side.

Noting that China faces different kinds of natural disaster like flood, drought and earthquakes every year resulting in billions of RMB Yunun every year, Ma Mingqiang said that Bangladesh also faces similar types of disasters. "Even today, you're also facing disaster...a serious problem of refugees."

Terming Myanmar and Bangladesh as friendly countries, the Chinese Ambassador said, "We hope our two brothers (Bangladesh and China) will sit down and solve this problem. I did see that there's some visible progress in terms of discussion."

Last month, the Chinese envoy said China has been maintaining close contact with Bangladesh on the influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh from the Rakhine State of Myanmar.

"China has been maintaining close contact with Bangladesh Foreign Minister on this matter and we hope that the situation will calm down as soon as possible," said the Chinese ambassador while replying to a question on the influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh.

He then said attacks on police in Rakhain State of Myanmar on August 25 have created this turbulent situation and Rohingyas have started coming to Bangladesh crossing the border. As a result, Bangladesh is facing suffering, he said, adding that China is also in trouble because there are Chinese investments in Myanmar.

Since August, hundreds of villages in Rakhine have been burnt down, with more than 600,000 Rohingyas fleeing across the border seeking shelter in Bangladesh.

Under an intense global pressure, Myanmar has agreed to repatriate "scrutinised" refugees who can prove their residence in Rakhine.

About the handover of firefighting and rescue equipment to Bangladesh, the Chinese envoy said the equipment include escalators, air compressors, generators and fork lifts.

Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Shah Kamal said that the equipment will help provide training to volunteers and other personnel on tackling disasters and conducting rescue operations.