Yao Wen also said that the Karnaphuli tunnel in Chattogram is being constructed with funds released by China. About 80 to 85 percent of the funding for the project is from China. The remaining 10 to 15 percent will be given by Bangladesh. The 10th and 11th China-Bangladesh bridges are being constructed with Chinese grants.
The geopolitical competition between the US and China has increased regarding the Indo-Pacific region. Commenting on this, the Chinese ambassador said, ‘We praised Bangladesh’s foreign policy of ‘friendship to all, hatred towards none’. Bangladesh has not taken sides. China has never asked Bangladesh to choose sides. Yet the US has been pressuring Bangladesh to take its stand since it projected a conflict with China. It is trying to create mistrust against Bangladesh. China.”
Most people in Bangladesh feel that China has not played an adequate role in resolving the Rohingya crisis. In response to this controversy, Yao Wen said, “I often hear that China hasn’t done enough. I’m not quite clear about what ‘enough’ means. Our aim is to deport the Rohingyas. The problem lies with Bangladesh and Myanmar. China is deeply involved in this, as a friend of both the countries.
He further said, “Under a trilateral initiative, mediated by China, significant progress was made in 2021. But everything stalled due to a military coup in 2022. But China did not give up even then. Under the mediation of China, Recently a delegation from Myanmar visited Cox’s Bazar to verify the identity of Rohingyas. This is the first phase of repatriation.”
