China will stand-by sl at all times: Envoy

In an email interview with Daily Mirror, Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao, says that China will stand-by Sri Lanka during the session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).  He outlines measures for further economic cooperation between the two countries and also the steps for signing a Free Trade Agreement.

Q How was the development of China-Sri Lanka relations in the past year? How do you anticipate the growth of bilateral ties in the New Year?
Last year is a year of harvest for the greater cooperation between our two countries. During the state visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to China, the two Heads of States agreed to elevate our relationship to the "strategic cooperative partnership", which established a broader platform for our cooperation in various areas. Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne visited China twice last year. Liu Yunshan, Member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee visited Sri Lanka. Those important high level visits pushed forward our mutually beneficial cooperation in different fields.

Furthermore, our two countries agreed to launch the negotiation process of China-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. Last year witnessed many cooperation projects being put into use, including the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, the renovation project of BMICH, the South Terminal of Colombo Port, the A9 Highway, etc.. The construction of the Southern Railway also commenced. These projects, being symbols of China-Sri Lanka friendship, will play an important role in the future development of Sri Lanka.

We have had more people-to-people contact. The number of Chinese tourists increased by 52% last year. The cooperation in education, culture, defence, maritime and religious area also achieved new progress.

China regards Sri Lanka as a good neighbour, trusted friend and important partner and attache great importance to our relations. In the year 2014, we will join hands with the Sri Lankan Government and people and continue to promote bilateral high level visits, enhance trade and economic cooperation, deepen exchanges in education, culture and defence areas so as to push forward our existing cordial relationship to a new higher level.  





Q There is concern that China's growing presence in Sri Lanka will pose a threat to regional stability. Does it make any sense?
In recent years, the pragmatic cooperation between China and Sri Lanka has been broadening and deepening. Our cooperation aims to realise common development to benefit both peoples, it does not target any third country and has no hidden agenda as some might presume. We are willing to enhance cooperation with all countries in South Asia. China is not a threat, but a positive energy to maintain stability and promote prosperity to the region.





Q Would China use her soft power to help Sri Lanka if things came to a crunch at the UNHRC someday?
China and Sri Lanka are true friends. A friend in need is a friend indeed. It is a tradition that our two countries support each other in the international arena. In the past two years, China has supported Sri Lanka in the UNHRC. China recognised the progress achieved by the Sri Lankan government and people in economic and social development after the internal conflicts ended. We believe that Sri Lanka should be given more time and space to solve its problems by itself. In the days to come, we will continue to unswervingly speak for Sri Lanka in the UNHRC to uphold justice.





Q Many see China becoming world's leading power, how will you promote a more positive global image of China?
A good global image depends not on what you claim, but on what you do. China will continue to uphold justice in world affairs, share development opportunities with other countries, in particular the developing countries and firmly fulfill due international responsibilities, thus make greater contribution to build a world of lasting peace and common prosperity.





Q There has been a rise in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from China. What should Sri Lanka do to enhance this trend for the development of the tourism sector here?
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with very nice people. It has great potential to develop tourism. The Chinese government encourages more Chinese tourists to travel to Sri Lanka. We are happy to see that Sri Lanka's tourism development has gained great momentum and achieved great progress. If there is still anything to improve, I think two things can be done.

Firstly, promote Sri Lanka more vividly and widely. Many Chinese people know little about your beautiful country. The Chinese government is willing to provide our uttermost help in this regard. Recently, China Central Television (CCTV) made a series of reports, introducing some key facts of your country to Chinese audience. In the near future, CCTV will make a travel documentary about Sri Lanka. We hope it will arouse Chinese tourists' enthusiasm about this country.

Secondly, improve "hardware". The "software", by which I mean the splendid culture and history, friendly people, high-standard service, etc is quite satisfactory. From my own experience, I think what we urgently need is to improve the "hardware", which includes road conditions, hotels, duty free shopping malls, etc. Besides, Chinese speaking tourist guides will also help a lot. If Chinese tourists can spend less, enjoy more, travel easier - I believe they will share their joyful experience with friends and recommend Sri Lanka to each other so that more people will come.





Q China has become a leading development partner of Sri Lanka. Do you hope to strengthen this relationship further?
China is willing to consolidate and strengthen the strategic partnership with Sri Lanka in all spheres. China will continuously provide necessary assistance for social and economic development to Sri Lanka within our capabilities.




Q All these China funded projects are based on commercial borrowings. These are concerns in some quarters that the interest rate is fairly high. In that context, how confident are you of the capacity of Sri Lanka's economy to settle these commercial borrowings from China?
Most of the mega projects are financially supported by the Chinese Government Concessional Loan and Preferential Buyer's Credit on government to government basis and the interest rates of such kind of preferential loans are much lower than commercial loans. The Chinese government also provides certain amount of grant every year for the projects, which will benefit the livelihood of the ordinary people. These projects greatly improved the infrastructure in Sri Lanka. Chinese government will continuously provide necessary financial support to Sri Lanka for its social and economic development.




Q There is a free trade agreement proposed between the two countries. How far have you progressed in working it out?
The negotiation on bilateral free trade agreement is progressing smoothly. Mr. Yu Jianhua, Vice Minister of Ministry of Commerce of China visited Sri Lanka last October and the first joint feasibility study meeting on the FTA was held during his visit. The two sides are now busy carrying out the feasibility studies to make necessary preparation for the negotiation. I am confident that the FTA will bring a win-win situation to the two countries.




Q In what ways, can Sri Lankan benefit from such a trade treaty?
The Free Trade Agreement will definitely benefit both sides, especially facilitate Sri Lanka's export to China. Bringing down stubborn tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade and investment could do a great deal to promote growth and employment in Sri Lanka.




Q Is there market for Sri Lankan products in your country?
China is world's second largest economy with more than 1.3 billion consumers which provides great opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters. We support Sri Lanka to develop its own manufacturing industries, by making full use of its unique and rich resources, to produce more diversified goods with more value added so as to expand its export to China.




Q As for the Hambantota port project and the Mattala airport project, some individuals argue that it is a white elephant with little benefit for Sri Lanka. How do you comment on it because both were funded by China in terms of loans?
As far as I know, in your country's middle-long- term national development plan, Hambantota area will be another engine for Sri Lanka's economic development. The Sri Lankan government has declared Hambantota port to be a free port, which will attract more and more foreign and local investments. Chinese side will encourage more Chinese companies to explore investment opportunities there.




Q There are concerns here that China has brought a lot of labourers to work in projects funded by them instead of hiring locals. What is your response for this?
Chinese contractors in Sri Lanka have committed themselves to fulfilling social responsibility and creating a lot of job opportunities for the local people. For example, Colombo-Katunayake Highway Project implemented by MCC has employed 300 Chinese staff and 1200 local engineers and workers at present. In the construction projects, most of Chinese staff in Sri Lanka are management staffs, engineers and technicians, which have little influence on local employment.