Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged China to help resolve the protracted Rohingya crisis, saying the presence of around 1.3 million Rohingyas is putting heavy economic, social and environmental pressure on Bangladesh.
He raised the issue during a courtesy meeting with Liu Haixing, minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat this morning, according to Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
Liu said China was aware of the crisis and would convey the prime minister's concerns to President Xi Jinping.
Both sides also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties. Liu conveyed Xi Jinping's greetings to the prime minister, who in turn sent his greetings to Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Liu recalled the joint declaration on a new era of bilateral relations made during the prime minister's previous visit to Beijing and expressed hope that cooperation would expand in line with that framework.
He affirmed Beijing's commitment to Bangladesh's development and voiced confidence in the country's economic growth under Rahman's leadership.
The discussion also covered the Bangladesh‑China‑Myanmar Economic Corridor, with Liu stating that China supports Bangladesh's inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Emphasis was placed on deepening party‑level ties between the CPC and Bangladesh's Nationalist Party, and Liu invited a BNP delegation led by its secretary‑general to visit China.
Rahman highlighted the historic foundation of bilateral relations laid by President Ziaur Rahman, recalling the launch of a canal excavation programme that boosted agriculture, and announced a new initiative to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals to benefit farmers, preserve biodiversity and maintain environmental balance.
Bangladeshi officials present included BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Vice‑Chairman Air Vice‑Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam. The Chinese delegation featured Chargé d'Affaires Dr Liu Yuyin, Director General Peng Xiubin and other senior officials.
Why it matters
The meeting shows Bangladesh turning to a major power for assistance on the Rohingya humanitarian challenge that strains its economy and social stability.