China says it is willing to set the stage for mediation between Myanmar and Bangladesh to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
China has backed its longtime ally Myanmar in the military crackdown against the Rohingyas in Rakhine State after insurgent attacks on security forces on Aug 25.
Bangladesh is “appreciative” of China’s 'One Belt One Road' initiative, believing it will bring “important opportunities” for Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021 and a Developed Country by 2041.
Under the initiative which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China is focusing on building a trade and infrastructure network for connecting Asian countries with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes.
The aim is to boost development of other countries and their trade with China.
With these on the backdrop, China is also helping Bangladesh provide the Rohingya refugees with essentials for temporary resettlement. It has sent relief materials for the Rohingyas.
“The Chinese side is highly concerned about the difficulty facing Bangladesh in resettling the displaced people in the Myanmar-Bangladesh border area," The Hindu quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang as saying during a Sept 30 media briefing, according to bdnews24.
"In order to help the government of Bangladesh with the resettlement efforts, the Chinese government has decided to provide emergency humanitarian supplies to the government of Bangladesh,” it added from Lu Kang's speech.
Referring to Myanmar media reports, The Hindu said China was planning to pitch in $10 billion in an economic zone in Myanmar and set up railway link from the Bay of Bengal to its Yunan Province through Myanmar.
But the situation in Rakhine has put China's efforts in risk.
The Hindu quoted a Chinese expert from the country's media as saying, "Stability in Rakhine State really matters.”
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres during the UN General Assembly last month: “China is willing to continue promoting peace talks in its own way, and hopes the international community can play a constructive role to ease the situation and promote dialogue.”
On Sept 25, Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang said, “We sincerely hope this issue will be settled as soon as possible and China is willing to play a constructive role to this end."
Mingqiang expressed China’s “heartfelt sympathy” for the refugees in Cox’s Bazar.
“We highly appreciate humanitarian assistance that the Bangladesh government has provided to the large number of refugees coming to Bangladesh,” the ambassador said.