DHAKA, Jan 28, 2024 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said China has renewed the earlier invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make an official bilateral tour to Beijing at her convenient time.

"China earlier extended invitation to our Prime Minister several times.
Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh renewed that invitation today," he told reporters after holding his maiden meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen as foreign minister at the foreign ministry here.
 
"We are working on finding out a suitable time for the (PM's China) visit," he added.

The foreign minister said he discussed the Rohingya issue and current situation inside the Rakhine state of Myanmar with the Chinese envoy.

"We have discussed that the only solution of Rohingya issue is to repatriate the displace people to Myanmar with all rights .. we sought Chinese support in resolving the crisis," he said.

The minister said that the Chinese envoy informed him that Beijing has been always engaged with the Myanmar authority to encourage them to commence the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

"He (the ambassador) expressed his optimism that Miamian would soon start the repatriation," he said adding that they also discussed the current unfavorable situation in Rakhine state.

"In fact, there was always some sort of problems in Myanmar, and we hope that the tension that is there in Myanmar now will be normal soon," he added.

Apart from Rohingya issue, Mahmud said, they discussed the huge trade gap between the two countries which is in favour of China.
 
In this regards, the minister said, China expressed keen interest to import mango, jute, leather goods and seafood from Bangladesh.

Besides, Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari made a curtsey call on the foreign minister.

During the meeting, they discussed on hydro power cooperation, connectivity and people to people contacts.