Linn Maung
Yao Wen, the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh while a courtsey call to Dr. Hassan Mahmud on Jan 28th said that Beijing has been negotiating with Myanmar to establish a cease-fire in Rakhine state in order to facilitate the return of the Rohingya people and China is committed to restore peace in the Rakhine State.
Since 2018, China has been making hollows claims of repatriation of Rohingyas but factually China could not make any progress on repatriation front despite its commitment to Myanmar & Bangladesh. Even they were uncorroborated reports that the idea of marginalising Rohingya and mass exodus was conceived in China.
Wen said that Rakhine State has previously experienced a cease-fire arranged by China but he knew well that it fell short of the commitments and further intricated the myseries of lacs of people.
Myanmar has already signed three cease-fire agreements. In order to begin the mediation process for the repatriation, China now would like to see another cease-fire in the state of Rakhine. China actually wants space in Bay of Bengal, mediation process for the repatriation of Rohingyas would be launching pad to expand further its base in coastal areas of Myanmar & Bangladesh.
By highlighting the concerns of repatriation of Rohingya, China is projecting herself as saviour but she means business. China wants to create like Laos-Thailand-Myanmar-China axis in southern so such deceptive cooperations between China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar in the name of repatriation is being enforced.
China has been buying time since 2016 over problem of repatriation but progress is zero since design is meant for something else not repatriation. China is well aware of the fact that Myanmar Army have trust deficit issues and repatriation is not feasible.
By just expressing optimism that Bangladesh and Myanmar would continue to work together to establish arrangements so that the Rohingyas can return to Myanmar as soon as possible, Beijing will continue to play its game.
Wen offered assistance to Teesta project, provided Bangladesh must take initiatives. Chinese ambassador stated that China is hopeful of working closely with Bangladesh and have a better future.
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