China insists no hidden agenda in relationship with Sri Lanka

By APD Writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Sept. 11 (APD) - China has no hidden agenda in its relationship with Sri Lanka, a statement by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo on Monday quoted the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang as saying.

Ambassador Yi Xianliang said that as a true friend of Sri Lanka, China has offered assistance to Sri Lanka without any conditions.

“China always attaches great importance to the efforts of Sri Lankan government to improve people’s living standards,” he said.

Ambassador Yi also emphasized that China’s cooperation with Sri Lanka has no hidden agenda and aims to seek a win-win situation.

China and Sri Lanka recently reached on agreement on operating the Hambantota port in the south of Sri Lanka but the Indian media had reported that India was concerned the port will be used as a Chinese military base.

“Some other country’s allegation on China-Sri Lanka cooperation in Port area (Hambantota port) is baseless and incorrect. China welcomes any interested third party to participate the cooperation and make joint efforts to build Sri Lanka into the regional hub,” Yi Xianliang said.

China is heavily involved in several projects in Sri Lanka and PresidentMaithripala Sirisena and the Chinese Ambassador recently participated in the groundbreaking ceremony to construct an agricultural economic center in the north central town of Polonnaruwa, funded by the Chinese.

The new center will comprise of a main commercial complex and an agricultural complex including stalls, children’s play area, cafeterias, banking facilities and sanitary facilities.

China is also funding a well-drilling project in Polonnaruwa, which is the hometown of the Sri Lankan President.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)