Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

No Chinese naval base in SL

6 June 2011 04:15 am - 11     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Chinese National Defence Minister Liang Guanglie on Sunday dismissed out of court suggestions that Beijing was carving out “a permanent naval presence” in India's neighbourhood in South Asia.

Answering questions at a plenary session of the 10th Asia Security Summit, organised here by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies , General Liang disclaimed moves to build naval bases at Gwadar in Pakistan and at a Sri Lankan port.

Emphasising his credentials as a member of the Chinese State Council and Central Military Commission, he said “we will have a very serious and careful study of an issue of such importance to the government and the military” like the reported move for establishing naval bases in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Indeed, “we will have exact plans and set up a panel to discuss it” if the move were for real. However, “I haven't heard of it,” said General Liang, delivering a calibrated political punch-line.

Asked by Manish Tewari, Congress party's spokesman, to spell out China's core interests in South Asia and the Indian Ocean area, General Liang said: “The core interests include anything that is related to sovereignty, stability, and form of government. China is now pursuing socialism. If there is any attempt to reject this path, it will touch upon China's core interests. Or, if there is any attempt to [encourage] any part of China to secede, that also touches upon China's core interests related to our land, sea, or air. Then, anything that is related to China's national [economic and social] development also touches upon China's core interests.”

On China's military modernisation, which the IISS experts see as a politically correct term for an arms build-up or arms race, General Liang said: “We do not have a large arsenal of ‘third generation weapons' or system-platforms. [Henry] Kissinger [former U.S. official] once told me ‘there is a clear gap between the U.S. and China.' Now, China's defence modernisation is compatible with its growth. While we focus on economic growth, we are sparing some resources for the development of the military.” (The Hindu)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 11

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Bumba Monday, 06 June 2011 05:07 AM

    Use the Hambantota harbor. Precautions: Please fill it with water before use and flush the sand.

    Tom Monday, 06 June 2011 05:28 AM

    Bumba Lee?

    Rosh Monday, 06 June 2011 05:41 AM

    Think it was preplanned China pumped in their money for the H Harbor.

    Fayad Monday, 06 June 2011 05:48 AM

    No need of any foreign base in sri lanka,
    We need peace & stability for the future generation

    Konde Bendapuchhena Monday, 06 June 2011 06:12 AM

    We do not want the side of neither China nor India we are Sri lankan

    Obama Monday, 06 June 2011 06:23 AM

    Beware of the great hambanthota Black Rock
    :D

    sham Monday, 06 June 2011 06:40 AM

    Yes we nee the Chinese BAse in Sl , as USA did in JApan after world war 2 , than we dont want to bow any other country , v can dream one day that v can get the JApans position in the economy

    ha-ha Monday, 06 June 2011 07:42 AM

    Indians are panicked... they cannot match Chinese might (money and global influence). They want to spread rumour now.

    palithaeka Monday, 06 June 2011 01:35 PM

    Sri Lanka is a free independent nation, no need Chinese intervention

    IFM Monday, 06 June 2011 03:00 PM

    yes,it is ,cgina bay in rinco.

    ruwan Monday, 06 June 2011 07:21 PM

    bro USA n China are different :-| USA is an inventor and china is a duplicator - u let china in and sri lanka will become the next sudan or somalia (people suffer and the ruler will be rich)


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H