Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has expressed optimism that the “pilot project” of Rohingya repatriation would be executed at an early date. He thanked China for its “active role” in a trilateral initiative among Bangladesh, Myanmar and China to provide a platform for dialogue to promote the early return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar. Newly appointed Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen met the State Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (January 22, 2023) afternoon and discussed the issues of mutual interest. Responding to a question on Rohingya repatriation, Ambassador Wen said they have a common objective with Bangladesh regarding repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. Also Read: Will continue to work toward resolution of Rohingya issue: Japan He recognised Bangladesh's "sacrifice" in hosting the huge number of Rohingyas and assured of playing its role for their repatriation. “We discussed the issue. You pay a lot. You suffered a lot. You sacrificed a lot. We have the common objective (repatriation),”said Ambassador Wen. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and not a single Rohingya has been repatriated over the last six years. The State Minister also highlighted the importance of establishing direct air connectivity and requested the Chinese Ambassador to consider Bangladesh as a suitable place for industry relocation from China, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also Read: Over 3,500 desperate Rohingya attempted deadly sea crossings in 2022 The Chinese Ambassador showed interest to conclude a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on PPP for the growth of bilateral trade and commerce. State Minister Alam hoped that the bilateral relations between the two countries would reach new heights during the tenure of the new Ambassador. Both sides cordially exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral cooperation of mutual interests, including trade and investment, infrastructure development, connectivity and Covid situation. Congratulating the new Ambassador on the Chinese New Year’s Day, the State Minister thanked China for being the largest bilateral trade partner of Bangladesh. Read More: China will remain engaged in Bangladesh’s next stage of development journey: Momen  During the meeting, he also thanked the Chinese government for its support in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic and the repatriation of Bangladeshi students from China and their subsequent return to China to continue their higher studies. He wished Ambassador Yao successful tenure in Bangladesh and assured him of full cooperation in discharge of his duties.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said it is high time to work together to have more projects and investment from China overcoming the common challenges ahead. "We find that there is a great potential to work together on high level visits and economic development," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador said China can do a lot and the two countries can work together for a better future. “That is something China can do together to overcome common challenges faced by the two countries,” Ambassador Wen said, referring to the challenges of Covid-19 and also problems that emerged amid the situation in Ukraine. Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision for 2041, the Chinese envoy said Bangladesh is now stepping into Smart Bangladesh from Digital Bangladesh and assured of his country’s support to that end. Also Read: Gate of Dhaka-Beijing cooperation opens wider: Ambassador Wen “I am confident that during my tenure I can work together with Bangladesh. China can do a lot. We can support each other. We can work together for the better future of our bilateral relationship,” he said. Responding to a question on Rohingya repatriation, Ambassador Wen said they have a common objective with Bangladesh regarding repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. He recognised Bangladesh's "sacrifice" in hosting the huge number of Rohingyas and assured of playing its role for their repatriation. “We discussed the issue. You pay a lot. You suffered a lot. You sacrificed a lot. We have the common objective (repatriation),”said Ambassador Wen. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char and not a single Rohingya has been repatriated over the last six years. Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador had separate meetings with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and discussed the Rohingya issues apart from other bilateral issues. “We discussed ways to expand bilateral ties,” said the Ambassador.      

Bangladeshi students who study in China can be allowed to return to China following the improving Covid situation there, said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said on Monday. “China has started allowing foreign students to return to the country and Bangladesh is in the first lot,” said the ambassador in a video note posted on Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bangladesh’s Facebook page. Read: Padma Bridge: China lauds PM Hasina’s leadership amid enormous difficulties “The pandemic both in China and Bangladesh seems under control, which is good news to our two countries,” he said. Shanghai, the worst-hit state of China in the latest wave of Covid-19, is gradually returning to normal with only two or three dozens of daily Covid cases, said Li Jiming.

Amid much discussion on the public domain over crisis-ridden Sri Lanka, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Wednesday reiterated that there is no debt trap in Bangladesh. “There is no debt trap, especially no Chinese debt trap in this country. At least I can guarantee that,” he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister  AK Abdul Momen  at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.    Momen also ruled out the fear of debt trap and said there is no such scope in Bangladesh. “We’re prudent (while taking loans and its subsequent management). We don’t borrow that much and when we borrow we do it with much calculation,” he said. Highlighting Bangladesh’s economic strength backed by stronger export growth and remittance inflow,  Momen said, “We are capable of (loans) repayment.” Asked about the situation in Sri Lanka, he said, “Let us see what happens. We’re yet to sit to discuss it.” READ: Chinese envoy hands over 14,280 surgical masks to BDRCS On a number of occasions in the past, the FM said there is no scope for Bangladesh to get into Chinese “debt trap,” noting that Bangladesh has borrowed the highest amount from Japan. “We remain very careful. There’s no scope that we’ll fall into debt trap. We cut our coats according to our clothes,” he told reporters earlier. Hecsaid Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina takes decisions through proper scrutiny and analyzing every aspect and in no way Bangladesh should be compared with the Sri Lankan case.

A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on the international community to do whatever it can to help bring peace and stability to Mali. "The international community should bear in mind the overall situation of maintaining regional stability, actively provide help and support, and do more things that are conducive to peace and stability in Mali," Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali. Dai said China commends the continuous communication on the political transition between parties concerned and hopes that the parties will reach an agreement as soon as possible to push the political process forward on the right track. Also Read: China demands 'immediate cancellation' of Pelosi's Taiwan visit plan The international community should support the transitional authority of Mali in accordance with the consensus reached at the National Reconstruction Conference to advance the reform process, implement the peace agreement, formulate and implement a comprehensive strategy for the central region, and help Mali embark on the development path that suits its national conditions, he added. On combatting terrorism, the envoy said "there should be no slack in the fight against terrorism. We should continue to support the Malian Government's efforts to combat terrorism and maintain stability, help it step up capacity-building, and respect its right to international security cooperation." "China has noted the concerns in some media reports about human rights violations in the counter-terrorism operations in the Moura region," said Dai, adding that the Malian side has already made clarifications, emphasizing that relevant actions were aimed at rescuing local people, and that they have always respected human rights and were willing to conduct relevant investigations. "China hopes that all sides will exercise restraint, and avoid making groundless accusations before any conclusion is reached by the investigation," Dai said. Also Read: China calls for probe into Bucha killings, assigns no blame Referring to the economic situation in the landlocked country in West Africa, Dai said that 42.7 percent of Malian people live in extreme poverty and 7.5 million people need humanitarian assistance, with 960,000 children under the age of five suffering from severe malnutrition. The international community must not forget about the difficulties faced by African countries such as Mali, and African development issues should not be marginalized, he noted. "As a good friend of African countries, China will continue to stand by African countries, accelerate the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and continue to support Mali and other African countries in their economic recovery," Dai said.    

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said China is willing to join hands with countries around the world, including Bangladesh, through bilateral, multilateral and international engagement to build a world that is more stable, prosperous and harmonious. 

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday handed over 14,280 surgical masks provided by Yunnan Province to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS).

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has urged the Bangladeshi students in China to continue to have faith, keep calm and stay strong, noting that “winter will pass, and spring is sure to come”.

A Chinese UN envoy on Thursday stressed that the terrorist groups in northwest Syria must be "resolutely crushed" in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and international law.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said China hopes to see an early repatriation of Rohingyas and an eventual solution to the problem saying they want to see the results that will come out from the court in The Hague.