Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang has termed the ongoing Rohingya crisis a 'disaster'.
He said both China and Bangladesh face different kinds of natural disasters. "Even today, you're also facing disaster...a serious problem of refugees."
China, he said, hopes that Bangladesh and Myanmar will sit together to solve the crisis peacefully.
"We do hope that this issue will be settled peacefully as soon as possible," said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang.
Terming Myanmar and Bangladesh two friendly countries, the Chinese Ambassador said, "I did see that there's some visible progress in terms of discussion."
China also committed to stand beside Bangladesh regarding the problem, the envoy said while addressing a function at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in Dhaka on Sunday.
The function was arranged marking the handover of acceptance certificate of China-funded firefighting and rescue equipment to Bangladesh including escalators, air compressors, generators and forklifts.
"These equipment will help train volunteers and other personnel on tackling disasters and conducting rescue operations," said Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Shah Kamal.
According to a UNB story, the Chinese envoy noted that China faces different kinds of disasters like flood, drought and earthquakes every year resulting in billions of Renminbi every year.
Bangladesh, he said, also faces similar types of disasters. "Even today, you're also facing disaster...a serious problem of refugees."
The Chinese envoy earlier said his country maintains close contact with Bangladesh on the influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh from the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Bangladesh, as a result, is facing sufferings, 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.
