If China comments on the Bengali issue, it could be a political mistake

CNI News

3 May 2025

It would be a huge political mistake if the Chinese Communist Party made any comments about the creation of a separate and independent state for the Bengalis in Rakhine State, U Thein Tun Oo, Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNI News .

That Bangladesh's opposition party, Jamaat-e-Islami met with a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CCP) on April 27. 

During the meeting, the party urged China to support for establishing a separate autonomous region for the Bengalis in Rakhine State.

The Chinese side would not comment on the discussion, but would only listen to the Jamaat-e-Islami party's discussions and return. If China commented on the matter, it would be the biggest political mistake. said U Thein Tun Oo.

While seeing the Chinese Communist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami party

"We do not accept the name Rohingya they use. The Myanmar governments have accepted Bengali only. We have a lot to negotiate over this term. So, the fact that they want this name and this place is the biggest violation of a country's current policy and sovereignty.  I don't think China would comment on that either. On the other hand, Bangladesh seems to put out some feelers to know whether an independent state for Bengalis could be got or not. If China echoed the party's attitude, it would be the biggest political misstate for China. I think China's attitude was that it would listen to what the Bangladeshi party said and came back. However, it remains to be seen what Bangladesh will do next. "Regardless of international pressure or external discussions, we must decide based on our country's national interests and security." he said.

The Jamaat-e-Islami party was prosecuted under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government and has been banned from contesting elections since 2014. 

After the interim government led by pro-American leader Mohamed Yunus came to power, the charges were dropped and the party was allowed to establish again.

The SAC told CNI News that the demand for a separate and independent territory for the Bengali people in Rakhine State is a violation of Myanmar's sovereignty, and Myanmar rejects and condemns it.

The SAC said that the Bangladeshi and Myanmar Deputy Foreign Ministers met in Kunming, China, to discuss the repatriation and supporting program for Rohingya refugees, but the talks were halted due to the armed conflicts.

While seeing those who were demanding rights for Bengalis

Since the AA which control northern Rakhine State and the SAC have diplomatic and political ties with Bangladesh, it would be best if the issue could be resolved politically, U Tun Aung Kyaw, a member of the policy steering committee of the Arakan National Party (ANP), told CNI News.

"When it comes to resolving international affairs, it is best to resolve them through political and diplomatic means. The ULA/AA, which has controlled a large area in northern Rakhine State, is also seen in the news as having political dealings with Bangladesh. In addition, government officials are also acting in accordance with the law through diplomatic channels. However, our political party cannot say exactly what kind of pressure the other forces will put and how they'll be going forward. It is best to resolve any issue politically. " he said.

Currently, Myanmar and Bangladesh have agreed that Myanmar will take back 180,000 (one hundred and eighty thousand) Bengali refugees. 

The SAC said that Myanmar has a basic policy of taking back Bengali refugees through verification.

Therefore, sufficient facilities for the refugees who will return to live in have been built with Chinese assistance and have been demonstrated to international diplomats.