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Last Updated : 2024-04-24 04:08:00
6 October 2018 09:42 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
China is using ‘debt diplomacy’ to expand its global influence and Hambantota Port could soon become a forward military base for Beijing’s growing blue-water navy, US Vice President Mike Pence has said on Thursday.
According to PTI, Pence said China was offering hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure loans to governments from Asia to Africa to Europe to even Latin America.
“Yet the terms of those loans are opaque at best, and the benefits flow overwhelmingly to Beijing,” Pence said.
In a foreign policy speech at the Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank, Pence alleged China uses so-called ‘debt diplomacy’ to expand its influence.
“Just ask Sri Lanka, which took on massive debt to let Chinese state companies build a port with questionable commercial value. Two years ago, that country could no longer afford its payments – so Beijing pressured Sri Lanka to deliver the new port directly into Chinese hands. It may soon become a forward military base for China’s growing blue-water navy,” Pence said.
Beijing is also corrupting some nations’ politics by providing direct support to parties and candidates who promise to accommodate China’s strategic objectives, he said.
“Since last year, the Chinese Communist Party has convinced three Latin American nations to sever ties with Taipei and recognise Beijing. These actions threaten the stability of the Taiwan Strait – and the US condemns these actions,” Pence said.
He said while the Trump administration will continue to respect One China Policy, as reflected in the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, America will always believe Taiwan’s embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people.
“These are only a few of the ways that China has sought to advance its strategic interests across the world, with growing intensity and sophistication. Yet previous administrations all but ignored China’s actions – and in many cases, they abetted them. But those days are over,” Pence asserted.
Under President Trump’s leadership, the US interests have been defended with renewed American strength, he claimed.
acs Saturday, 06 October 2018 09:48 PM
It's all that idiot MR's fault.
Kamal Saturday, 06 October 2018 10:21 PM
Then after the regime changed, why USA didn’t support to MS , RW government to get rid of the China influence ? Why RW didn’t try to lease the port to some body else and pay the debts to China ?
Ghost Sunday, 07 October 2018 06:40 PM
Because JO was in the way, Kamal!
vipula Sunday, 07 October 2018 09:54 PM
The best idiot in the 21st century thought that USA would come and save him.So he stoped the port city project.finally he realized China is more powerful than the USA.So he resumed the project.Present crisis of the economy is nothing but the holding the port city project for one and half year for noreason.
Citizen Silva Monday, 08 October 2018 08:14 AM
Hambantota was given for 99 years lease for a song. Government should have got more than double had they called worldwide tender and avoid this confusion.
vasaliya Saturday, 06 October 2018 09:49 PM
Seems slit eyed Rajapakse has been earmarked by the US.
Dhammika Sunday, 07 October 2018 03:26 PM
More RAJAPAKSE family members are AMERICAN citizens.
vithura Saturday, 06 October 2018 10:05 PM
For those naive ones who still believe in Chinese benevolence, here is something for them to reflect upon. The main architect of all these would never admit to his blunders, but seeks ways to come back to a position of power, by hook or crook, at the expense of the poor gullible voters.
Fareed Monday, 08 October 2018 12:56 PM
China means business not anything else and we have be the same.
Thanos Saturday, 06 October 2018 10:20 PM
Oh my! Mike Pence said so? S--t just got real!
Wise Donkey Saturday, 06 October 2018 10:21 PM
The US has well over 500 bases all over the world, lets talk about a country where they don't have a base. Why they worry about us and China.
Ghost Sunday, 07 October 2018 06:37 PM
They don't have one in Sri L:anka hence the tug-o-war!
RP Saturday, 06 October 2018 10:31 PM
Well said Sir!Our leaders are still in denial and our future generations are the ones going to pay heavy price for the “99” years of lease.China got it’s first knock out punch from Pakistan when it outrightly rejected Chinese offer of $14 Billion Loan to build Diamer-Bahsha dam.The critics within Pakistan argued that, this loan would push Pakistan towards a debt trap like SriLanka, Cambodia, Maldives and African nations that borrowed heavily from China.
Dhammika Sunday, 07 October 2018 11:29 AM
99 year lease is better than a total SINNAKKARA sell out ! .
Haramanis Sunday, 07 October 2018 03:24 PM
RP. Please get your facts correct. China is already funding the CPEC - under the Belt and Road Initiative including many hydro projects. More recently Chinese companies have come forward with proposals for funding the Daimer-Basha Dam.
Sil Sunday, 07 October 2018 07:28 PM
What i think is,politicians, thinking not of the country, but how much he/she can gain out of it, so they don't worry of conditions or interrest but percentage of his share and possibility of hide it from opposition and people of the country,its not only for MR,but MS,CBK or Ranil is no difference.
Bota Sunday, 07 October 2018 01:18 PM
Mr Pence you all cornered us at UNHR for the last ten years but China and Japan really helped us. But you now shedding tears like a Wolf saying the Goat is getting wet in the rain.
King Mihiraj Sunday, 07 October 2018 02:34 PM
So what's your problem, you are having basses in countries all over the world !
Martin Milton Sunday, 07 October 2018 06:08 PM
Aiyoo! When will these goons learn to mind their own business and clean their own dirty backyards? Hopefully the Sri Lankan people will never fall for these cheap falsehoods these untrustworthy people try to spread. MM
vini Sunday, 07 October 2018 07:45 PM
Uncle Sam could have outbid China and given us more pences!
Vipula Sunday, 07 October 2018 09:49 PM
By hook or by crook USA trying to stop the BRI of the Chinese government.We should not become a pray of the USA.Sri Lanka should try to get the maximum out of this great initiative of the Chinese government.BRI brings the prosperous to this island.This time Sri Lanka should not fall into the trap of the USA.
Haramanis Sunday, 07 October 2018 09:53 PM
This is all part of the push to suppress China and retain the position of USA as the dominant power in the world. We should not be fooled into buying into this agenda
fareed Monday, 08 October 2018 12:54 PM
Well, any port in the world could become someones military base but when it comes to SL, we have to decide, not China, not India or not even US. By the way America is paranoid and dictatorial.
fareed Monday, 08 October 2018 01:01 PM
USA should know that we are an independent country and we decide what is good for us. In fact, we should develop every inch of the land we have either irrigate or put up buildings to suit our demands economic or social or any other. We should the countries with brain and money.
til Tuesday, 09 October 2018 06:58 PM
Business is doing, targeting profit,but China has money, never do anything to be shamed in the face of international community, but local politicians lead them to a point, to do the deal for grab commission for themselves
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