China has reiterated that it is fully committed to helping Bangladesh resolve the Rohingya crisis.
"Our position is consistent since the beginning of the Rohingya crisis. We've pledged to extend our cooperation to Bangladesh in resolving it," said Chinese ambassador in Dhaka.
"We stick to that position," Mr Zhang Zuo told the FE on Sunday after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at foreign ministry.
"We're willing to play a constructive role in starting repatriation through maintaining close communications with Bangladesh and Myanmar to find a practical solution to the crisis."
About the issue, Dr Momen said China is a big power in the region and a good friend of Bangladesh.
"We want their support to resolve the Rohingya crisis. They have already provided some humanitarian assistance. We appreciate that," he told the FE.
The minister said the international community should come forward more aggressively in resolving the crisis.
"Our prime minister has saved the face of global community by giving shelter to more than one million Rohingya refugees in our country."
The 'third largest genocide of the world' could be avoided through providing shelter to the Rohingya in Bangladesh, Mr Momen argued.
Now the world community should also come forward to addressing this pre-eminent issue.
"We've initiated to start repatriation, but Rohingya refugees are unwilling to return home as environment favourable for their secure and dignified return is yet to be created."
"Now, we urge all the stakeholders and the global community to work together to ensure a safe and dignified return of the Rohingya, Mr Momen said.
On his upcoming India visit, the minister said this would be a courtesy visit with no specific agenda.
"In my meeting with Indian foreign minister, we hope to discuss all the bilateral issues," he maintained.
Meanwhile, the Chinese envoy sought to work with Bangladesh to implement the decisions reached through a consensus during Xi Jinping's Dhaka visit in 2016.
He wished to strengthen practical cooperation between two countries and accelerate implementation of the projects for common development and prosperity under Belt and Road Initiative.
At the parley, the envoy highlighted the need for bilateral consultative mechanisms to steer practical cooperation between them.
Mr Momen expressed gratitude to China for signing 27 agreements and instruments worth billions of dollars during Jinping's visit in 2016 when bilateral ties were elevated to strategic partnership.
He requested the ambassador to take steps for fast implementation of the projects funded by China's development assistance.
Mr Zuo cited China's measures to reduce trade gap between the two nations and increase its investment here for industrial development, said a foreign ministry statement.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com