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China asks SL to protect and promote human rights

18 November 2013 12:45 pm - 43     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In a surprise move, China today asked Sri Lanka to "make efforts to protect and promote human rights", backing calls by India, Britain and other countries at the CHOGM summit in Colombo to address allegations of rights abuses against the country's minority Tamils. 
 
"Due to the differences in the economic and social development of different countries, there could be differences on human rights protection," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a media briefing in Beijing.
 
"So what is important is that the relevant country should make efforts to protect and promote human rights while other countries in the world should provide constructive assistance," he said.
 
He was replying to a question on human rights issues clouding the just-concluded CHOGM summit and British Prime Minister David Cameron's statement that his country will push for an international probe by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) if Sri Lanka does not address its human rights issues by March next year. 
 
"This is an issue within the Commonwealth. But at the same time, I believe that on the human rights issue, dialogue and communication should be enhanced among countries," Qin said. "We always maintained that on the human rights issues, countries around the world should enhance mutual understanding through dialogue and communication and take constructive means to promote the development of the international human rights cause," he said. 
 
This is perhaps for the first time that China was vocal about Sri Lanka addressing the human rights issue, as Beijing which in recent years has beefed up its ties with Colombo with billions of dollars of aid, voted against the resolutions passed by UNHRC in 2011 and 2012 censuring Colombo for its alleged rights violations during the war against the LTTE. 
 
India, in contrast, had voted for the resolution. Qin's comments came as China was elected to the UNHRC this year and is expected to play a role if Cameron decides to implement his ultimatum to Sri Lanka to deal with its human rights issues by March 2014 failing which the UK will work with the UNHRC to push for international investigations into alleged war crimes against the Sri Lankan Tamils. 
 
Though not a member of the Commonwealth, much of the infrastructure for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo was funded by China, including a USD 292 million highway connecting the capital's international airport to the main city, that transported thousands of delegates. (PTI)
 

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  Comments - 43

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  • Lorenzo Monday, 18 November 2013 06:36 PM

    tamil refugees in china have bribed the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
    its a conspiracy

    ajan Monday, 18 November 2013 01:48 PM

    Well done China.
    Thank you for your concern !

    Rubert Vanderkoon Monday, 18 November 2013 01:50 PM

    A big misinterpretation. Chinese will never agree to intimidate others on HR issues, they have their own.

    Yuri Monday, 18 November 2013 02:05 PM

    telling the truth, which will turn upside down everything in March

    Pan Monday, 18 November 2013 02:35 PM

    The kettle calling the pot black!

    Prometheus Monday, 18 November 2013 02:52 PM

    Thank you China. China is actually taking baby steps, in the right direction. They are going to relax the one-child policy and they are abolishing ALL labor camps. They are taking some serious steps on corruption. They have light years to go but they are moving forward. Same cannot be said about SL.

    sss Monday, 18 November 2013 03:19 PM

    professional at work for diaspora ,not like stooges with know capabilities for Sri lanka government

    niward Monday, 18 November 2013 03:25 PM

    Can somebody pl check if the loan instalments are in arrears.

    rAVI Monday, 18 November 2013 03:25 PM

    This to satisfy and get the votes from Diaspora Tamils in SL language

    banda Monday, 18 November 2013 05:10 PM

    Pot calling kettle black story

    Husain Monday, 18 November 2013 05:19 PM

    China do not try to be smart.we will not pay the loans

    Christy Monday, 18 November 2013 01:43 PM

    China fumes when the US tells it correct HR record. So where's the question of "dialogue between countries"???.

    Extreme Paksha Monday, 18 November 2013 06:50 PM

    China.. Stop violation in thipet

    Lanka gem bureau Tuesday, 19 November 2013 03:41 AM

    China will get the maximum benefit from our stupid majority...and wash their hands off...n china will take over lanka in many ways..since all chinese love to gamble ..

    SAM_SPARROW Tuesday, 19 November 2013 04:02 AM

    Glad to see that Sri Lankans started scolding China for the first time. Of course we can't hold the truth. It's high time we knew that India is our only friend in the whole universe.

    sach Tuesday, 19 November 2013 04:09 AM

    China is telling Sl to do independant investigation.

    Karigalan Tuesday, 19 November 2013 04:10 AM

    MR: Deiyo Sakki, thang mokatha karanne?

    Fayad Tuesday, 19 November 2013 04:47 AM

    This a pinch & a kiss at the same time
    Just make the international community happy not to worry at all

    PRASANNAJIT Tuesday, 19 November 2013 05:19 AM

    What are you talking man? What is the Tamil diaspora got to do with China?

    jaye Tuesday, 19 November 2013 05:21 AM

    china: have you forgotten the Tinamen Square massacre some years back.

    Rajagobalapillai Tuesday, 19 November 2013 09:02 AM

    We are gambling with Pakistan and Ausralia.there are our realy friends

    flatwhite Tuesday, 19 November 2013 11:51 AM

    China with Sri Lanka anyway look who has got worked up now Tamil diaspora, India and tamil nadu. We will have chinese satalite soon so we can even monitor tamil nadu.

    Ceylonese Monday, 18 November 2013 01:22 PM

    Since China has built all the infrastructure for the CHOGM now it is also trying to dictate terms to Sri Lanka which has come as quite a shock. No doubt we will be under obligation to China for years to come as we struggle to pay back all the loans.

    Shan Monday, 18 November 2013 01:04 PM

    Hey China What's wrong with you ????

    MrKasthuri Monday, 18 November 2013 01:08 PM

    What China FM said was very clear and loud, he says to look after HR on its own whilst other countries could support the cause. It is NOT supporting the stance of UK, Canada or India. That is the very thing SL also trying emphasis.

    Grace Monday, 18 November 2013 01:13 PM

    We have to understand that every nation thinks of its own gain.

    Madanamutha Monday, 18 November 2013 01:15 PM

    I wonder that there is no diaspora in China to blame to....

    Is it because of British position?

    mercy Monday, 18 November 2013 01:16 PM

    Welcome aboard China at least now .U should have advised long ago.Anyway we are prepared to continue.

    Saskia Monday, 18 November 2013 01:17 PM

    Wow. Thanks China. Good move
    China is the closest friend of SL and now started to speak about the human rights violations. China is only hope for SL.

    zorro Monday, 18 November 2013 01:19 PM

    does it means, that Chiina believes, there is a HR issue in Sri Lanka? it is a new music for us to dance differently

    mercy Monday, 18 November 2013 01:19 PM

    Your Excellency please forge ties with all nations. Simple simple diplomacy . Let us not put all our eggs in one basket though the gains may be minimal it would come from all over surely . From all over is far beneficial than minimal

    Saskia Monday, 18 November 2013 01:20 PM

    China advises to start an internal investigation which has been always denied by SL. But, now SL should start or face the international inquiry. Because China will not support SL if SL neglects this advice.

    peKIng Monday, 18 November 2013 01:22 PM

    see a crack in the wall? the real fools are the srilankans who have been nodding their heads for the rajapakses. the wall is coming down!

    Ben Hurling Monday, 18 November 2013 01:00 PM

    Ooops! First London. Now Beijing too. Long arm of Cameron?

    Siri Monday, 18 November 2013 01:26 PM

    Sri Lanka welcomes such a statement from a friendly nation.

    Siri Monday, 18 November 2013 01:30 PM

    Don't get excited. It is perfectly normal statement from a civilized country.

    Thomas Monday, 18 November 2013 01:31 PM

    China is reminded of Tina man Square massecre, and worried
    therefore advises Sri Lanka?

    Hussain Monday, 18 November 2013 01:32 PM

    Not China. something is wrong with your thinking.

    Dinithi Monday, 18 November 2013 01:33 PM

    This is what China and Russia always said. International community should help Sri Lanka to protect human rights. This is what Sri Lanka is also asking from International Community. Help NOT Force. This is completely different to forcing international inquiries.

    Hussain Monday, 18 November 2013 01:33 PM

    Well said. You understand English.

    Fair enough Monday, 18 November 2013 01:39 PM

    As the next world power it can't be seen as defending countries that violate HR.

    Madanamutha Monday, 18 November 2013 01:41 PM

    Interpretation for those what they want to here?

    Nice try!

    sham Monday, 18 November 2013 01:43 PM

    China can not protect any country in the world, all what china does is support to an extent where it reach to a point of maximum which is when it give up fearing to it its own political mileage. Good example ..Iraq, Libya, Syria.. It is utter foolishness to depend on China hoping it would help.

    China will say bye sooner it get what it wants.


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