ZCZC
BSS-39
CHINA-ENVOY-CORONAVIRUS
Not bringing back Bangladeshis from China: ambassador
DHAKA, Feb 17, 2020 (BSS) – Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Ji Liming today suggested not bringing back 172 Bangladeshi students from Hubei province of China as there is a risk of spreading novel coronavirus.
“I don’t want the virus to spread to Bangladesh,” he said while talking to members of Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) here.
Dubbing the epidemic as “enemy of the world”, the Chinese ambassador also suggested that all the Bangladeshis coming from China should be quarantined for 14 days to stop any spread of the virus.
In the wake of novel coronavirus, Liming has asked Bangladeshi businesses not to switch their imports to other countries because of the virus as it has slightly affected imports from China.
It would not be wise for the business communities to source their raw materials from other countries as imports from other sources will be costly and unnecessary, he added.
Turning to the Rohingya issue, Liming said China wants Myanmar to stop further violence in Rakhine state and prompt repatriation of the Rohingyas who took refuge in Bangladesh.
Terming both Bangladesh and Myanmar are good friends of China, the ambassador said his country wants more dialogue and negotiation between the two countries.
However, he did not agree to make any comment on the rulings of the International Court of Justice on the Rohingya issue.
BSS/MKD/TAN/KU/1905 HRS