First batch of Rohingyas to return home soon: Chinese envoy

China is expecting the repatriation of the first batch of Rohingya refugees soon.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said this during the Spring Dialogue with journalists at the Chinese Embassy today.

The ambassador did not specify any date. However, foreign ministry officials said a group of 1,000 Rohingya refugees may be repatriated before the start of monsoon in June.

Yao Wen said it is very unfortunate that the Rohingya repatriation could not start yet though China initiated a tripartite arrangement between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Covid-19 pandemic and military takeover in Myanmar were some of the factors that slowed the process. "We will never give up helping solve the Rohingya crisis," the ambassador said.