Chinese naval ships to use Pakistan port after SL snub

16 April 2015 03:39 am - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Pakistan's Gwadar port which has been taken over by a Chinese firm could guarantee maintenance and supply for China's naval ships in the Indian Ocean after the new Sri Lankan government declined permission for Chinese vessels to dock in the country.

"The Gwadar port will also guarantee China's naval ships' maintenance and supply in the Indian Ocean. The move is widely seen as crucial for China, especially as it is unlikely that Sri Lanka will open its ports to Chinese naval ships," Zhao Gancheng, director of South Asia Studies at Shanghai Institute for International Studies told state-run Global Times.

The new Sri Lankan government headed by President Maithripala Srisena reversed his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa's policy of allowing Chinese submarines to dock in Colombo, following India's concerns.

Zhao said the port will serve as a major route to the Indian Ocean for Chinese goods, which will have far-reaching significance for China's Xinjiang region's economic development.

Xinjiang is planned to be connected through an economic corridor with Gwadar through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Chinese experts however warned of inherent risks about the project in view of militancy in the Balochistan region.

Experts cautioned about obstacles as the port area suffers from a lack of water resources, housing, transportation and other facilities to provide for a large workforce, the Global Times reported.

Wang Dehua, an expert with the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, who has been visiting Gwardar Port since 2007, said that detailed plans on building highways, railways and pipelines are the second step.

"Building such infrastructure has inherent risks and difficulties, he said, due to the high mountain ranges and security issues caused by militants operating in the region. These difficulties can be overcome, but may take time," he said.

The port will formally commence operations by a Chinese company this month which is projected as a key transportation hub of the planned China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.(PTI)

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Comments - 23

hicky Thursday, 16 April 2015 11:26 AM

communal harmony in this small island is more important than pleasing Chinese bosses. we have to reshape our non-align policy without antagonizing India or China. via DM Android App

Kolitha Herath Friday, 17 April 2015 12:47 PM

I think Sri Lanka should have an intelligent and knowledgeable foreign minister. Sooner the better.

Waco Friday, 17 April 2015 10:43 AM

We lost this great opportunity because of Mangala Samaraweers.

Prem Nath Friday, 17 April 2015 09:47 AM

The losers --Sri Lanka. Thanks to India and RW.

Dilip Thursday, 16 April 2015 04:13 PM

My3 and the UNP,all policies are for 100 days.They can not think beyond that.

Mevan Thursday, 16 April 2015 02:48 PM

With the port city Chinks attempted to own part of our country and this would have been disastrous. MS did the best thing that could have been done. MARA, who had buffoons as diplomats did nothing to formulate a balanced foreign policy. All his diplomats and supervising ministers did was drinking and fighting in foreign capitals.

ramola Thursday, 16 April 2015 12:44 PM

To snub China is nothing but stupidity on the part of MS and his caretaker govt. This country deserves more than puppets.

Waco Thursday, 16 April 2015 12:33 PM

Thaiwan is right. We too must not allow Indian Ships to dock in.

hiran gunawsrdena Thursday, 16 April 2015 12:25 PM

Govt doing it best to fend off inward investment via DM Android App

Gamarala Thursday, 16 April 2015 12:22 PM

China is a better friend than India would ever be. We need to cultivate an independant foreign policy not dictated by India or the USA. Both these selfish countries only look to their befit to our detriment. Its time we recognized who are friends really are. The US is no friend of SrI Lanka. The UNHCR sessions proved that point.

Dutchy Thursday, 16 April 2015 12:19 PM

Then why not this new govt under mi3 launch big projects without borrowing loans higher interest rates. Why did these new bosses try to put an end to all the Chinese funded projects under the influence of Big brother India, but continue India funded projects. Who is the big boy in the world economy? India or China?

Waco Thursday, 16 April 2015 11:44 AM

We need a leader , leader with a back bone. Sri Lanka lost a good opportunity.

Dutchy Thursday, 16 April 2015 09:59 AM

Good move by the Chinese govt. MS has become a dummy under the influence of India and its West allies. SL lost a great friendship that benefited us over a long period. Now America will feed us with nothing....but communal harmony.

Bala Thursday, 16 April 2015 11:27 AM

USA CHINA INDIA are not friends as such as each will grab economic, strategic and political advantages as they seem is in their interest. So we must also take decisions as it is of interest to SL only. China was skimming off our money in inflated loans and shoddy work at times like the Norochcholai Plant which was really a shocker.

Puran Appu Thursday, 16 April 2015 11:10 AM

We had two choices: becoming a proud independent nation respecting all nations or becoming a Gunamaku Niwata nation. We have chosen the latter !

Eng. M.V.R.Perera Thursday, 16 April 2015 11:02 AM

we can win back the Chinese by by going for competitive bidding with a fair pricing formula for 2 coal power stations at Hambantota making full use of the hambantota port with a massive free trade zone the Chinese with their ecconomical clout will definitely win. We also should do the sme at trincomale and show that we are not willing to work for the interest of India but only for the interest of our country

Waco Thursday, 16 April 2015 11:01 AM

Mr. President reconsider your decision and let China to start this project in Trincomalee. It will be good gor Sri Lanka in every angle.Duwa,Do not forget, to pick me up, I am at the shopping centre.. Thank you

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 16 April 2015 10:47 AM

Taiwan though an enemy of China will not allow Indian Navy ships to dock in their ports in order to avoid antagonizing China. This does not mean Taiwan is a dummy or does not have backbone. Communal thinking is part and parcel of SL politics, that is why many countries are teaching us to be civilized.

tilak Thursday, 16 April 2015 10:21 AM

Your idiotic comments has no basis. SL has the rights to take the correct decisions. MS has taken the correct decision.

ranga Thursday, 16 April 2015 10:14 AM

Just the begining...

Narada Thursday, 16 April 2015 10:09 AM

Another Indian rubbish. Gawdar port was built by China before they started to build Hambanthota harbor. Gawdar port will be used to transport fuel ship from Middle east on a land route to China. Now ships sail more than 12500km to reach China. With this land route opening it reduces to 2000km. How it relates to Colombo or Hambanthota harbor issues via DM Android App

Dutchy Thursday, 16 April 2015 09:59 AM

Good move by the Chinese govt. MS has become a dummy under the influence of India and its West allies. SL lost a great friendship that benefited us over a long period. Now America will feed us with nothing....but communal harmony.

Dutchy Thursday, 16 April 2015 09:59 AM

Good move by the Chinese govt. MS has become a dummy under the influence of India and its West allies. SL lost a great friendship that benefited us over a long period. Now America will feed us with nothing....but communal harmony.

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Chinese naval ships to use Pakistan port after SL snub

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