Be cautious when dealing with China: US

10 October 2017 03:33 am - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Every country should be cautious when working with China due to China’s lack of transparency in certain engagements, a top US Military Officer said yesterday.

Rear Admiral Donald D. Gabrielson of the US Navy expressed these views upon asking whether the US was concerned about Chinese presence in the region particularly in Sri Lanka.

He said they were concerned about the fact that why China was now trying to rearrange the very system from which they were already receiving benefits.

“You have to work with them, we work with them or we welcome their presence, we welcome everything they are doing. They benefit as much, or maybe more than anyone else from the very system that they are now trying to rearrange. For the US, that's a little bit of a mystery,” he told the Daily Mirror.

When it comes to initiatives like the One Belt One Road (OBOR), he said the US was challenged to understand what that's about, where is that going to go and who benefits from that. “It is not clear to us,” he said.

He said these questions were worth asking and exploring especially as we approach decisions for new kinds of deals and new kinds of opportunities.

“Opportunities are important and you have to have them and you deserve to have them, your people deserve hope for the future and that requires investment and requires new things. But they also do not deserve to be shackled from their hopes for the future. We want to see Sri Lanka grow in prosperity for its own benefit,” he said.

Admiral Gabrielson is in Colombo to attend the Galle Dialogue-2017. He is expected to take part as a mediator of a panel of experts to talk about maritime affairs during the International Conference. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

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Comments - 22

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 10 October 2017 09:18 AM

Excellent comment.... the former regime was paid dearly by China for making decisions in the name of development for SL but now it is dawning reality that the final winner is China. We have just signed of a huge swath of land

Thanos Tuesday, 10 October 2017 04:51 PM

This applies to all big nations. If you think US, India, EU, China even Japan do things purely from charitable standpoint you are sorely mistaken. Every nation does things to further its own interests be it economic, geopolitical, or military.

shameerpvt Tuesday, 10 October 2017 09:18 AM

it should be actually other way around... hopefully sri lankans trust chinese more than the yankees...

realistic Tuesday, 10 October 2017 10:46 AM

Don't be naive..

malik Tuesday, 10 October 2017 12:11 PM

I agree, the host nations that have a USA base, well we all can see the huge trouble those nations are in. The Choices is a simple one, Military base or Economic viable project.

Thiranga Tuesday, 10 October 2017 09:28 AM

In your country majority of Scientific and Mathematical work is done by the Chinese,Koreans,Sri Lankans,and South Indians. If not for them you would not have advanced Naval Ships to bring and show off to us.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 10 October 2017 10:41 AM

If so why are those nations you name still way behind USA?

Sabe Tuesday, 10 October 2017 11:34 AM

We lack the skills of management and exploitation

Lord Wolfstein Tuesday, 10 October 2017 10:25 AM

Despite warnings from many sides, Sri Lanka has entered into contracts with China and is now in the debt trap. China is not a friend, it is the worst neo colonial master. The people now have to bear the consequences of the political mistakes.

ahmedlk Tuesday, 10 October 2017 10:39 AM

US taking about china's "transparency"

Senewi Tuesday, 10 October 2017 11:20 AM

China will say the same thing about USA.

Sonali Tuesday, 10 October 2017 12:35 PM

The U.S. debt to China is $1.102 trillion, as of May 2017. Wonder how much it would be if they were not cautious.

fareed Tuesday, 10 October 2017 01:16 PM

Yeah, US is right, it is China that imposes sanctions, invades and occupies countries, bombs countries to stone age; often consider regime changes those who refuse to be slaves and puppets and also they are not so called American style seven star Democracies and supports Israeli terrorism against the people of Palestine on the other hand. So be careful with China which invests and make countries prosper.

bandara Tuesday, 10 October 2017 02:57 PM

Hello Fareed-which country has prospered from Chinese investments? only the rulers of those countries like our MR have prospered

Ranil Tuesday, 10 October 2017 01:17 PM

Pot calling the kettle black.

sena Tuesday, 10 October 2017 01:22 PM

shear jealousy,we don't believe it, but we don't believe Chinese or Indians either.but comparatively Chinese are more trustworthy than Americans ,when go down through their treacherous history

Thanos Tuesday, 10 October 2017 01:24 PM

There is a lot of hypocrisy in what the Rear Admiral is saying. Yes it is very true China is trying to shackle SL but that is exactly what the US has been doing to other countries since the end of world-War 2.

vipula Tuesday, 10 October 2017 02:17 PM

I have a great sympathy as we feel that the US is loosing it's power unexpectedly.Anyway America will never extend it's genuine hand to any nation.It has it's own national interest.Everything they do everything they utter not for our benefit.Therefore we must be clear where our national interest lies.If the cat catches the mice it is stupid to think whether the cat is black or white.

mani Tuesday, 10 October 2017 02:59 PM

srilankans will always take the side of the one who pays them. it would be too late when you realise the disastrous consequences

ceylon Tuesday, 10 October 2017 04:08 PM

chunas imperial now expanding rapidly. via DM Android App

ravin Tuesday, 10 October 2017 04:35 PM

vice versa !!!!

Peter Tuesday, 10 October 2017 06:37 PM

it seems that he thinks we have to get his advise for whom we associated with,nonsense.

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Be cautious when dealing with China: US

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