Bangladesh sticks to stance on China

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday ruled out the idea of replacing China with any other superpower for mediating with Myanmar to resolve Rohingya crisis.
"Due to the persuasion of China, Myanmar has agreed to be soft on a lot of things," the minister said when asked whether Bangladesh would lobby with any other superpower to mediate on the Rohingya crisis.
The minister was briefing the press on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming India visit.
"China is very close to Myanmar and now they are supporting Bangladesh's stance on Rohingya issue. And due to the persuasion of China, Myanmar has agreed to form a joint working group comprising Bangladesh, China and Myanmar to expedite the repatriation process," the minister said referring to the tripartite meeting between China, Bangladesh and Myanmar in New York last week.
Myanmar has also agreed to make correction to the verification form and provide identity cards to all the Rohingya who would be verified.
But the minister disclosed that Myanmar turned down the proposal of allowing a team of the Rohingya representatives to visit Rakhine to assess the conduciveness for their return.
"Our relation with China is very warm and they are very sincere about resolving the Rohingya crisis," Dr Momen said.
He mentioned that countries like Russia that initially backed Myanmar are now taking a neutral stance on the issue.

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