PM seeks China's support in resolving Rohingya crisis
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought China’s cooperation in resolving the multifaceted problems arising from the presence of a vast number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister made this call during a courtesy meeting with Liu Haixing, minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.
On the same morning, the Prime Minister unveiled a special commemorative postage stamp at the Secretariat to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Ahead of the day on November 7, the head of government released the commemorative stamp valued at Tk10, alongside a first-day cover valued at Tk10 and a data card valued at Tk5. Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Shahadat Shadhin briefed journalists regarding the call for China's cooperation, while Zahidul Islam Roni briefed them on the unveiling of the stamp.
Shahadat Shadhin said that during the meeting, Liu Haixing conveyed the greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In response, the Prime Minister conveyed his greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Liu Haixing said that during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Beijing, a joint declaration for a new era in future bilateral relations between the two countries was issued. In light of that declaration, areas of mutual cooperation will be further expanded.
The meeting also included discussions on the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Additionally, Liu Haixing conveyed China's support for Bangladesh's inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). During the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman highlighted the pressure exerted on Bangladesh's economy, society, demographics, and environment by the prolonged presence of 1.3 million Rohingyas, and sought China's cooperation in resolving this crisis. In response, Liu Haixing said that China is aware of the Rohingya crisis and assured that he would apprise Chinese President Xi Jinping of the Prime Minister's concerns.
Present at the meeting on the Bangladesh side were BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP Vice Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam. On the other hand, Liu Haixing was accompanied by Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh Dr. Liu Yuyin, Director General of the Bureau of South and Southeast Asian Affairs of the International Department of the CPC Peng Xiubin, and other senior officials.
Visit to Khulna and Bagerhat Today
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is visiting Khulna and Bagerhat districts today, Thursday. He will participate in multiple development and cultural programs across these two districts throughout the day. He will fly by a helicopter from Dhaka to Bagerhat (Mongla). The PM will jointly inaugurate "Notun Kuri Sports (Season-2)" across 503 upazilas of the country from the Khulna District Stadium at 3PM.
Following the Prime Minister's visit, necessary preparations and security arrangements have been implemented by the district administrations of Khulna and Bagerhat as well as the Divisional Commissioner's Office.
This report was compiled based on a BSS report and information sent from the Khulna office of Agamir Somoy.
