No ‘Negative Force’ Can Spoil Sino-Lanka Relations – Chinese Envoy

[Godman]

China, on Saturday, strongly emphasized that no ‘negative force’ could stop the assistance it was providing to Sri Lanka, and China would continue its strong friendship with the island Sri Lanka according to NIA.

China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Yi Xianliang, speaking at the launch of the southern economic development zone in the southern town of Hambantota said that this was a great opportunity for Sri Lanka, as more than 50 Chinese investors were interested in investing in the southern development project.

He said that if things go well, then within the next 3 to 5 years, China would invest at least 5 billion US dollars in the southern economic zone. This would also help create 100,000 jobs especially for the people of Hambantota and the south, he added.


“With all this, no negative force can stop the assistance and corporation which China is giving Sri Lanka, and no one can stop this strong friendship,” Yi said.

He further said Sri Lanka wasthe ‘most friendly’ country for China which is why it was China’s ‘highest priority’ to invest in Sri Lanka.

“In 2014, when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Sri Lanka, we decided to make Sri Lanka our first priority for investments. Then in 2015, President Maithripala Sirisena visited China and we confirmed and decided to support each other. Then last April, Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe visited China. It is quite clear that the Chinese President and Prime Minister reached a consensus and now China will join Sri Lanka to help it establish its basic industrial system,” Yi said.

He further stressed that this southern development zone would be the most important economic activity for Sri Lanka and the government, particularly for Hambnatota people.

“This is not a small country but a great country with a 20 million population. A big country with big potentials. That is why today we have gathered here and I stand here to share with you my feelings. I will do my best to help develop Sri Lanka,” he said.

He further assured that all Chinese projects would follow the Environmental Impact Assessment and would follow the laws of Sri Lanka.





“This is my promise and promise from all Chinese business people. We will respect the decicison made by the Sri Lankan government and people. We will corporate with you, the government ministers and the people to make this area within the next 30 years a developed area.”

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at the launch thanked China for investing in the southern economic zone and also thanked China Merchants Holdings for helping develop the Hambantota Port.

He further thanked China for showing interest in investing 5 billion dollars in the next 3 to 5 years and said this would pave way for Sri Lanka to be a developed nation.

“No one can stop us from establishing a new Sri Lanka so that our youth will benefit. Like Malaysia, Singapore, China, we will also be proudly developed,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, along with several ministers and a Chinese delegation led by Ambassador Yi Xianliang opened the southern development project in Hambantota on Saturday amidst a protest by followers of former President Mahinda Rajapakse who were opposing the Sri Lanka, China economic zone.

Protesters were dispersed with police firing water cannons. However clashes erupted after protesters pelted stones at the area where the ceremony was being held.

Sri Lanka has allocated 15,000 acres for Chinese investments in the south and will give an 80 percent stake from the Hambantota Port to China Merchants Holdings as part of turning debt into equity.

The Sri Lankan government has blamed former President Mahinda Rajapakse for taking hefty loans to build the Hambantota Port, highways and Mattala Airport during the previous regime, without any repayment plans.

http://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item...-can-spoil-sino-lanka-relations-chinese-envoy

 

[Godman]

@Gibbs
There was a court order banning protests in the area. But then again these guys don't care about the law and they shamelessly attacked an event with the Head of State and foreign delegates

 

[Godman]

China to invest US$ 5 billion in Sri Lanka: Ranil
2017-01-07 15:09:09
6
2480

China would invest US$ 5 billion in Sri Lanka within the next two to three years, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinge said today.

Speaking during the opening of the Southern Industrial Development Zone in Hambantota , Mr. Wickremesinge said it would boost employment opportunities and would enhance the life style of the people.

“I would like to thank the Chinese Ambassador for confirming this investment" he said.

Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang, who confirmed this, said Chinese investors would always give priority to Sri Lanka.

He said China-Sri Lanka bilateral relations were a role model for all bilateral relations in the world. (Yohan Perera)

- See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/C...-Lanka-Ranil-121838.html#sthash.dLo7bVOE.dpuf

 

[SarthakGanguly]

‘negative force’

Who is that?

 

[ahojunk]

The Chinese Ambassador looks young.

 

[Little Falcon]

They should have said Dark force!

 

[Godman]

Who is that?

They were referencing to Rajapaksa loyalists who were attacking the event despite a court order banning protests in the area

The Chinese Ambassador looks young.

he could be in his late 30s. Its hard for South Asians to guess the ages of Chinese

 

[HeinzG]

@Gibbs
There was a court order banning protests in the area. But then again these guys don't care about the law and they shamelessly attacked an event with the Head of State and foreign delegates

Where is the shame when Ranil stopped the Port city project due to allegations of corruption, which was inaugurated by the Chinese head of state?

 

[Godman]

The government has started arresting many from the illegal riot. However several Policeman and soldiers were brutally assaulted and hospitalized.
Rajapaksa's son was personally leading the rioters

Also note it was the said son that runs the "Nil Balakaya" the same people who recently vandalized the H'tota port ,assaulted Navy personnel and took several ships hostage

 

[Gibbs]

@Gibbs
There was a court order banning protests in the area. But then again these guys don't care about the law and they shamelessly attacked an event with the Head of State and foreign delegates

Shameless slaves.. It will take a millennium for Lankans to come out of their feudal mindset, But they have the audacity to laugh at Indians, Bloody clowns

 

[Godman]

Shameless slaves.. It will take a millennium for Lankans to come out of their feudal mindset, But they have the audacity to laugh at Indians, Bloody clowns

These clowns only make the govt more popular and if they opposed it or had any issues they should protested outside the area like the JVP did. They intentionally broke a court order and attacked an event with foreign delegates

few new projects in the region. The LNG project came after an Indian Coal plant got cancelled and both India and China offered LNG projects. It seems Chinese one won

@Shotgunner51 @Chinese-Dragon @AndrewJin

 

[Place Of Space]

Where is the shame when Ranil stopped the Port city project due to allegations of corruption, which was inaugurated by the Chinese head of state?

Maybe there is no shame, but it's hard to understand those protesters' intentions. When the rich nations like UK, Korea welcome Chinese investment, why the Lankan protesters oppose it. The investment is not hot money, finally the infrastructures, projects, industry will stay in the places. The protestors could understand Chinese investor is not charitarian, they need the cooperation to earn more money, of course when they have profits, they'd like to donate some to the local. But it's impossible the investors allocate cash to everybody averagely 1000 dollars, for instance. I advise the protesters spend the time learning some technolgoy, skill or language, then join in the chances, improve their lives. When we promise to assure the quality of project, abide your laws, including environment standard, there is no reason doubting the sincerity. Chinese companies' technology, experiences, management and cash flow can compete with any international companies. And China is still the heartland of manufacturing among the world. We don't need the dirty methods or corruption to gain those projects, you can bring other investers if they plan to invest Sri Lanka, we would like to compete with them.

 

[Godman]

Maybe there is no shame, but it's hard to understand those protesters' intentions.

They are a combination of Political proxies and mislead villagers. The Organization behind recent unrest was an organization called the "Nil Balakaya" an organization created by Namal Rajapaksa(The guy in the image I posted before). However going against a court order ,violently attacking law enforcement officers, attacking an event with the Head of State and Foreign delegates is not just shameful but a major crime.

We don't need the dirty methods or corruption to gain those projects, you can bring other investers if they plan to invest Sri Lanka, we would like to compete with them.

Well its not China but Sri Lankan side. Its the SL govt that issue tenders(This project is an investment so no tenders were called). There was this incident when roads were "washed away" by rains but those were built by Local contractors and has nothing to do with China but shows how bad things happen in SL.

The Chinese Ambassador's statements refer to several messed up parts of the Port City(By the govt side of course).
There were issues with the EIA and it was the govt that agreed to do it. Thats why he assured about the EIA in future projects.
There were also some legal issues as well. The former administration put the Ports Authority in charge of the project however while it has the word "Port" in it the Port City project has nothing to do with Ports and Shipping and should fall under the Land Reclamation Authority and Urban Development Authorities. Thus his comment on Sri Lankan laws. The project was restarted after those issues were dealt with but it soon got replaced by the Colombo International Finance Center(CIFC) a SEZ similar to the one in Dubai.

You see the area is an High security zone and China was given a part of the Port City for free hold and as you know Lankans are rather Xenophobic. Combined with the flawed EIA ,Legal issues and the issue of freehold land in the wrong place created a perception among Lankans that China is "making SL a Chinese colony" and buying Sri Lanka with bribes in addition the fears of the free hold land being used by China for non-commercial puposes.
That saga is now over and all legal and environmental issues have been dealt with.

Inaugurating China - Sri Lanka vocational training center in Hambantota today.
Better future starts from here!

- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3160185&type=3

 

[HeinzG]

Maybe there is no shame, but it's hard to understand those protesters' intentions. When the rich nations like UK, Korea welcome Chinese investment, why the Lankan protesters oppose it. The investment is not hot money, finally the infrastructures, projects, industry will stay in the places. The protestors could understand Chinese investor is not charitarian, they need the cooperation to earn more money, of course when they have profits, they'd like to donate some to the local. But it's impossible the investors allocate cash to everybody averagely 1000 dollars, for instance. I advise the protesters spend the time learning some technolgoy, skill or language, then join in the chances, improve their lives. When we promise to assure the quality of project, abide your laws, including environment standard, there is no reason doubting the sincerity. Chinese companies' technology, experiences, management and cash flow can compete with any international companies. And China is still the heartland of manufacturing among the world. We don't need the dirty methods or corruption to gain those projects, you can bring other investers if they plan to invest Sri Lanka, we would like to compete with them.

This is not merely invitation for Chinese investors to come to Sri Lanka. This is simply handing over Sri Lankan lands to China for century. People opposed to selling our lands to Chinese. That's this whole issue.

In a normal situation, where Sri Lankan government would be having control over the investors and what they invest in the areas given. But, under theses treaties; Sri Lanka would have minimal to none capacity of control over lands given to Chinese. They are simply sold to China.

We don't know what they do with the lands given or how they will use it. Only after a century that we can decide what to do with the Chinese.

 

[Place Of Space]

They are a combination of Political proxies and mislead villagers. The Organization behind recent unrest was an organization called the "Nil Balakaya" an organization created by Namal Rajapaksa(The guy in the image I posted before). However going against a court order ,violently attacking law enforcement officers, attacking an event with the Head of State and Foreign delegates is not just shameful but a major crime.


Well its not China but Sri Lankan side. Its the SL govt that issue tenders(This project is an investment so no tenders were called). There was this incident when roads were "washed away" by rains but those were built by Local contractors and has nothing to do with China but shows how bad things happen in SL.

The Chinese Ambassador's statements refer to several messed up parts of the Port City(By the govt side of course).
There were issues with the EIA and it was the govt that agreed to do it. Thats why he assured about the EIA in future projects.
There were also some legal issues as well. The former administration put the Ports Authority in charge of the project however while it has the word "Port" in it the Port City project has nothing to do with Ports and Shipping and should fall under the Land Reclamation Authority and Urban Development Authorities. Thus his comment on Sri Lankan laws. The project was restarted after those issues were dealt with but it soon got replaced by the Colombo International Finance Center(CIFC) a SEZ similar to the one in Dubai.

You see the area is an High security zone and China was given a part of the Port City for free hold and as you know Lankans are rather Xenophobic. Combined with the flawed EIA ,Legal issues and the issue of freehold land in the wrong place created a perception among Lankans that China is "making SL a Chinese colony" and buying Sri Lanka with bribes in addition the fears of the free hold land being used by China for non-commercial puposes.
That saga is now over and all legal and environmental issues have been dealt with.

Inaugurating China - Sri Lanka vocational training center in Hambantota today.
Better future starts from here!

- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3160185&type=3

Thanks for the information, I know more about the background and Lankan internal politics. It seems your government need to spend more time, patiences and views explaining and convincing your people.