Mangala in Beijing says China to be consulted on any project re-think

China’s Premier Li Keqiang (R) speaks with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera during their meeting at the Zhongnanhai Leadership Compound in Beijing, 27 February – Reuters

 

BEIJING (Reuters): Sri Lanka will not make any decision on Chinese projects it is reviewing until it consults China, the Foreign Minister said on Friday, pledging that his new Government would welcome Chinese investors.
President Maithripala Sirisena has unnerved China with his re-examination of certain projects that China has invested in, including a $1.5 billion ‘Port City project in Colombo.
India, which lost out to China in infrastructure development on the Indian Ocean island, was in particular worried about the security threat posed by Chinese ownership of land, aggravated by the docking of Chinese submarines in Colombo last year.
Last week, Sri Lanka said it would reconsider the outright transfer of a parcel of land to China under the port city deal signed by the previous Government, amid concern it could be used for by the Chinese navy.
Speaking in Beijing after meeting his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said he did not discuss the port issue directly, and the Government was not only looking into Chinese projects.
“Anything relating to Chinese investment will be shared and discussed with the Government of China before we take any final decision,” Samaraweera told a news conference, citing what he told his Chinese counterpart.
Sri Lanka will always welcome Chinese investment and it would now be an even safer place in which to invest, he said.
“We are trying to ensure that there is a level playing field for all investors and a conducive environment for investment based on the restoration of the rule of law, democracy, good governance and transparency,” Samaraweera said.
“All proposals in future will be considered totally on merit.”
Samaraweera is in China to prepare for an expected visit by Sirisena next month.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China remained a good partner of Sri Lanka.
“China is willing to continue being a trustworthy and reliable development partner… and will also keep doing its best to provide assistance for Sri Lanka’s social and economic development,” Wang said.
India had grown increasingly wary of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s pursuit of closer ties with China, which became a key supporter of the island’s economy after its 26-year-civil war ended in 2009.
China has built a seaport and airport in the south of the country, raising fears it is seeking influence in a country with which India has traditionally had deep ties.
India’s concern grew after the Rajapaksa Government allowed the Chinese submarines to dock.

China moots trilateral cooperation with India, Sri Lanka     Beijing: China on Friday proposed trilateral cooperation involving India and Sri Lanka for regional stability as the new government in Colombo sought to re-balance its ties with China, preferring to follow a “non-aligned” policy. “China is open-minded about trilateral cooperation between China, India (and) Sri Lanka,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a joint press conference with Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera. “I want to say both India and Sri Lanka are China’s cooperative partners in South Asia,” Wang said. Samaraweera is the first Sri Lankan official to visit Beijing since president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s defeat in polls this January. China made significant investments in Sri Lanka during Rajapaksa’s tenure, raising concerns in India. Samaraweera’s visit to China will be followed by new Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s next month. The two ministers had a lengthy talk focussed on the new political alignment in Sri Lanka following the fall of the Rajapaksa government. Samwarweera, however, did not comment on the trilateral proposal by China. Wang said China wants progress in relations between all three countries, including ties between New Delhi and Colombo. “The relevant parties may continue to explore discussions about such cooperation in future to think about what are practical ways and means in pursing such cooperation,” Wang said. “We believe that China and India may leverage their respective strength in playing a positive role in helping Sri Lanka advance its social development,” he said. “I believe sounder interaction and pursuit of common interests among the three countries is in the best interest of the three countries and also in best interest of regional peace, stability and prosperity,” Wang replied to a question. He also said China and India stay in contact over a large number of regional and global issues. “We would certainly like to have consultations with the Indian side regarding pursing trilateral cooperation in future or cooperation involving more parties,” Wang said. Describing India as a neighbour and a relative, and China a close friend, Samaraweera said his government prefers to follow a “non-aligned policy with good relations with all the countries in the interest of the Sri Lankan people.” Wang, for his part, spoke about the support extended by the Rajapaksa government for the revival of the multi-billion dollar ancient Maritime Silk Road (MSR) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.