China will try to influence Myanmar to address Bangladesh concerns: AL leader

An Awami League leader who is now visiting China as part of the party delegation says Beijing will try to influence Myanmar to address Bangladesh’s concerns on Rohingya issue and 'settle the problem'.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 25 Sept 2017, 01:11 PM
Updated : 25 Sept 2017, 01:45 PM

Barrister Biplab Barua, deputy office secretary of the ruling Awami League, told bdnews24.com that the vice-president, international relations, of the Chinese Communist Party, gave them that assurance at a meeting in Beijing.

The Awami League leader said Li Jun told them that "China will continue to play a constructive role in settling the Rohingya issue "as soon as possible".

He said China is also sending relief materials including tents and blankets and the first consignment will reach Dhaka on Sep 27.

Presidium Member M Faruk Khan is leading the 19-member Awami League delegation on the tour which was scheduled much before the latest Royinga influx began on Aug 25 following a military crackdown in Rakhine state. The goodwill visit has now turned out to be a 'diplomatic mission' for the ruling party delegation.

So far, more than 436,000 Rohingyas have taken shelter in Bangladesh, escaping what the United Nations has branded 'textbook ethnic cleansing'.

Former foreign minister Dipu Moni is also with the team in China. 

The tour comes at a time when many in the country and abroad are suggesting that Bangladesh should lobby with China to exert pressure on Myanmar to stop violence and take back the refugees.

China and Myanmar have close economic and diplomatic ties, and China has dismissed expectations that democratisation in the former Burma could lead to weaker relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN General Assembly that Beijing supports efforts by the Myanmar government to protect its national security and opposes recent violent attacks in the country's Rakhine State.

China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Wang told Guterres that "China understands and supports Myanmar's efforts to protect its security in Rakhine and hopes the fire of war can soon be extinguished."

“China advocates Myanmar and Bangladesh resolving the problem via dialogue and consultation,” the foreign ministry quoted Wang as saying.

“China fully understands how important the problem is to Bangladesh. They also understand the tremendous pressure on the economy, society and environment by the large exodus.”

The Awami League leader Barua said China commended Bangladesh for its efforts in helping Rohingyas despite the recent floods.