China to be consulted on any project re-think-Mangala

27 February 2015 08:11 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka will not make any decision on Chinese projects it is reviewing until it consults China, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Friday in Beijing, pledging that the new government would welcome Chinese investors.

President Maithripala Sirisena has unnerved China with his re-examination of certain projects that China has invested in, including a $1.5 billion "port city" project in Colombo.

India, which lost out to China in infrastructure development on the island, was in particular worried about the security threat posed by Chinese ownership of land, aggravated by the docking of Chinese submarines in Colombo last year.

Last week, Sri Lanka said it would reconsider the outright transfer of a parcel of land to China under the port city deal signed by the previous government, amid concern it could be used for by the Chinese navy.

Speaking in Beijing after meeting his Chinese counterpart, Minister Samaraweera said he did not discuss the port issue directly, and the government was not only looking into Chinese projects.

"Anything relating to Chinese investment will be shared and discussed with the government of China before we take any final decision," Samaraweera told a news conference.

According to the Reuters he has said that Sri Lanka will always welcome Chinese investment and it would now be an even safer place in which to invest.

"We are trying to ensure that there is a level playing field for all investors and a conducive environment for investment based on the restoration of the rule of law, democracy, good governance and transparency," Samaraweera said.

"All proposals in future will be considered totally on merit." Samaraweera is in China to prepare for an expected visit by Sirisena next month.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China remained a good partner of Sri Lanka.

"China is willing to continue being a trustworthy and reliable development partner ... and will also keep doing its best to provide assistance for Sri Lanka's social and economic development," Wang said.

India had grown increasingly wary of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's pursuit of closer ties with China, which became a key supporter of the island's economy after its 26-year-civil war ended in 2009.

China has built a seaport and airport in the south of the country, raising fears it is seeking influence in a country with which India has traditionally had deep ties.

India's concern grew after the Rajapaksa government allowed the Chinese submarines to dock.

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Comments - 17

mack Friday, 27 February 2015 07:56 PM

Chinese relations should be honored like any other country we do business it should be transparent and profitable for SL not other way around via DM Android App

Cheers Saturday, 28 February 2015 10:07 AM

This govt blamed rajapakse for Chinese projects and now all of a suddenly shell shocked and cannot survive without China

jith Saturday, 28 February 2015 09:28 AM

This kind of statements display popular politics with little knowledge of how countries work economic partnerships. There is nothing called level "playing fields". Countries develop special relationships as means of access to investments and promoting growth. Its economic infancy of the politicians to assume that countries will flock to SL with investments. Annoying China, or telling them "take it or leave it" is just plain lunacy and pathetic childishness. China is the best bet for economic partnership due to much economic rationality. This big mouthed talk with the attitude that China will dance to our script is pure political fantasy and big opportunity loss to the country. Did I hear someone say “Sri Lanka missed the bus, AGAIN” , this time in style.

Mevan Saturday, 28 February 2015 02:32 AM

Burrowing from China is ok at reasonable interest rates and following standard tender procedures. Previous govt. did not do that.

patriot Saturday, 28 February 2015 01:34 AM

Whoever come into power must stop Colombo Port city, is a curse. So much damage had done, you do not need any report to access, just go there see and smell. If blind by money whether is previous or New government than is sadu sadu.

Prem NaTH Friday, 27 February 2015 11:50 PM

Even if India instigates,Sri Lanka cannot afford to put China on the rack.

Guna Friday, 27 February 2015 08:53 PM

Also dont forget to ask WB/IMF where were they during our darkest hours... And NOW China is a baaaad word..No wonder we are only 2nd to India as a thankless nation!!!If you want to reverse everything that the previous govt did, then hey!!!!

Jay Friday, 27 February 2015 08:44 PM

WB/IMF rater are very and control by US ... and also so many constrains attached to it ex. they want to demolish free University education in Srilanka. these Chines loans are normal loans, at this time inters rate are really low in the World (below 6). I believe this is a very good time to take loans... In the other hand you need a big boss ... when some one try to bully you.

Harry Friday, 27 February 2015 08:36 PM

Dogs bark violently, while elephants walk on without noticing.

Philip Dias Friday, 27 February 2015 02:27 PM

Any loans from China MUST be equal to WB/IMF rate.They must reduce the previous deals signed with MR corrupt regime to imf rate. If not they would not allowed to bid any future contracts be firm with them.

simon Friday, 27 February 2015 07:55 PM

Being such a small country such as Sri Lanka depends 100% on foreign aids to survive. We need to get help as much we can from everyone but that does not mean we should get in debt or cause any environment damages to our poor country.

milindras Friday, 27 February 2015 06:51 PM

This will be just a waste of time and money. I am sure the projects will go ahead anyway! Stupid!

RANES Friday, 27 February 2015 06:03 PM

MR PHILIP DIAS WB/IMF LENDS MONEY TO COUNTIES ON SPECIAL PROJECTS AT FAVORABLE RATES BUT THERE INVESTMENT IS LIMITED CHINA UK OR USA LENDS AT A COMERCIAL RATES .IF WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE COUNTRY WE NEED TO WORK OUT IF THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS JUSTYFABLE BYPAYING THE GOING RATE FOR BOROWING .THE COUNTRY NEEDS TO INVEST TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR THE HIGHLY EDUCATED YOUNG PEOPLE OF SRILANKA.

kan Friday, 27 February 2015 03:56 PM

Port City project should be completely cancelled if not expect heavy disasters in West Coast and age old Sever system in Colombo.

Keliniya Some Friday, 27 February 2015 03:55 PM

They change, tuning of their record, according to place and occasion, thinking that, we all bulls

Dayawathie Friday, 27 February 2015 03:52 PM

Two tongued lizard

Veda-mama Friday, 27 February 2015 02:37 PM

So all the "Barking" against the "Chinese" looks like "Unnecessary".

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China to be consulted on any project re-think-Mangala

Comments - 17

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