China will discuss the issue of conflicts along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border with Myanmar government, as Dhaka sought Beijing's help to prevent further deterioration of the Rohingya crisis.
"We have informed the Chinese envoy about our concern over the conflict along the border and we are assured that China will discuss the issue with Myanmar government," acting foreign secretary Rear Admiral (Rtd) Khurshed Alam said after his meeting with Li Jiming, Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka, on Monday.
The Chinese envoy met the acting foreign secretary as part of Bangladesh's consultation with ASEAN countries over the reported government-rebels conflict in Myanmar along Bangladesh frontier where over a million evicted Rohingya people of that country are in camps.
During the one-and-a-half-hour-long parley, Bangladesh also requested China to expedite the process of repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Since the beginning of the Rohingya crisis, China has been engaged in facilitating negotiations between Bangladesh and Myanmar to repatriate the refugees who took shelter in Bangladesh after latest brutal crackdowns on them by Myanmar security forces.
"The ambassador has assured me that they are working on it," Mr Alam added. He hopes that China can play an effective role in withering the tensions along the border because they have leverage on Myanmar government.
Responding to a question the acting foreign secretary said the repatriation is possible despite the ongoing conflicts as the area where the Rohingya people will be repatriated is far off the conflict zone.
Talking to the reporters after the meeting was over the Chinese ambassador said he was informed of the conflict along the border by the acting secretary.
"This is very unfortunate incident," he notes.
"We had a friend-to-friend discussion. We have discussed a lot of issues, including the Rohingya repatriation and other international issues" he said.
Recent landing of mortar shells in Bandarban's Naikhongchhari near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border since August 28 has created diplomatic and security dilemmas for Bangladesh.
Incidents of landing Myanmar's mortar shells at Tambru in the Ghumdhum area of Naikhyangchhari Upazila in the hill district of Bandarban and the violation of airspace through crossing Bangladesh's boundary caused concerns in Bangladesh.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
