China, being a close ally of both Bangladesh and Myanmar, is believed to have an upper hand in helping resolve the issues pertaining to the interests of these two South Asian neighbours, which no other big power has. The long-standing Rohingya repatriation issue is one such bone of contention, wherein China is expected to play a much greater role. This came to the fore once again yesterday when the newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, called on Bangladesh State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Dr. Enamur Rahman, at the latter’s office. During the talks, Bangladesh expressed its optimism that China will play a more active role in the repatriation of displaced Rohingya refugees to their country of origin, Myanmar.
Discussion over China’s possible roles
The state minister for disaster management and relief held talks with the Chinese ambassador in Dhaka on 15 February, when the junior minister expressed his gratitude to the Chinese envoy for maintaining a significant role as a tried and tested ally of Bangladesh. China is considered to be a trusted friend of Bangladesh, he stressed.
Noting that China has provided technical and financial assistance in the construction of numerous large structures, he expressed hope that China would play an important role in the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their country of origin.
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The state minister also talked about the terms and agreement of a possible collaboration between the two countries as per the instruction of the prime minister. He proposed the establishment of a self-contained National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) with a focus on immediate and rapid response and rescue of natural disaster victims.
He expressed hope that Bangladesh, in collaboration with China, will be able to start working on the NEOC establishment at the earliest. An agreement to this effect is also underway, the meeting was told.
China’s interest in stranded Rohingyas’ repatriation
It has been over five years since the biggest and most recent exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar took place with Bangladesh at the receivers’ end. The refugees now living in the camps of Cox’s Bazar are in fear that the darkness in which they are living is not going to end anytime soon. These people have almost given up hope of going back and leading a normal life. There are about one million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh at the moment, with very few considering it as home.
With the genocide-like crimes committed against the Rohingya people in Myanmar’s Arakan state to force them to leave and take refuge in Bangladesh, the neighbouring country has been seeking the attention of global powers right from the start for repatriating these Rohingyas. This country has suffered the most as a result of the huge influx of Rohingya refugees, who crossed into Bangladesh’s border. During the last general assembly of the United Nations, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina raised her concern before the UN member states over the repatriation of the stateless Rohingyas. Moreover, the Bangladesh PM has been talking about stranded Rohingyas and their repatriation since 2017 and will continue to do so even in the next UN General Assembly.
China’s stance on the long-standing Rohingya issue is rather confusing to many, although the world is well aware of China’s political and economic influence on Myanmar. A rather uneasy calm China has been maintaining with regard to Rohingya repatriation and much-condemned issue of genocide in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has become a topic for criticism by world leaders, who are considering it as a sign of China’s silent support to the wrongdoings perpetrated by Myanmar.
The core of ruling Communist Party of China’s current global vision is an intercontinental master plan for comprehensive infrastructure development to facilitate the movement of goods and expand trade. This master plan is also known as the Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI. To implement this plan, they need stability in the countries involved.
China has already received strong support from Europe and Southeast Asian countries for this initiative. So, it is obvious that the country will not want to lose the support of any of them. And this country has major projects to establish its trade centres and a deep-sea port in Myanmar as a part of completing BRI that has been dubbed by many as the modern-day “Silk Road.”
Moreover, some analysts think the recent tensions with Taiwan might have cast further shadow on China’s diplomatic manoeuvrings in this region with regard to the pesky issue of Rohingya repatriation. It is obvious that speaking against another humanitarian crisis calls for speaking against one’s own issues of concern.
However, China seems to have changed its tone in Rohingya repatriation issue as the country looks to be willing more nowadays in participation of discussion on repatriation of stranded Rohingya people in Bangladesh. This is a sign of progress as countries like the US, UK, EU, India, Gambia etc have been raising voices in this regard.
Hence, Wednesday’s meeting between the Bangladesh State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, and the China Ambassador in Dhaka is a promising sign with regard to the two countries’ joint efforts for repatriation of Rohingyas who were forcibly displaced by Myanmar forces and remain stranded in different camps here after crossing into Bangladesh territory.
