Chinese are simply following Russian imperialism playbook here, which they themselves were a victim of
Li–Lobanov Treaty
After the first Sino Japanese war, Chinese were a bankrupt nation due to the indemnity owed to Japan
Russians seeing an opportunity for more peaceful expansion of its buffers agreed to provide loans to China in return for following concessions in Northeast China-
- Leasing Lushan port to Russia
- Russian police and personal to exercise Russian Law over these regions
- Russian troops deployment to protect Russian interests
Which pretty much meant Northeast China is only Chinese in name
CCP today is aping these strategies of colonial and imperial powers
Its well aware Sri Lanka cannot affords these ports and eventually will settle for several concessions - diplomatic, territorial etc
Also Sri Lanka was invaded by Chinese in the past during the Ming era
Ming–Kotte War
The Language Chinese used for Sri Lankans is interesting
—
Yang Rong (1515) about the confrontation in Ceylon
This provided them a outpost for further voyages to southern Africans kingdoms
In today's era, this will be an outpost for monitoring India, Deigo Garcia and also Chinese interests in southern Africa.
@Jackdaws above details might be of your interest