SRI LANKA SUSPENDS CONTROVERSIAL CHINESE PORT CITY PROJECT

[Azizam]

You'll have to ask that to the then government in power for which I hold no brief. I consider them to have been asleep while Indian interest was undermined both at home and abroad. In fact, that the Chinese ever got to think that their silly 'string of pearls' was serious was because of an ineffective and weak government in India.

China has neither the military nor the political influence to be an imperial power, particularly if the US is interested in the region and ties with India on top of their existing relationship with Japan. Too many powerful countries have too much to lose with a powerful China and China is not powerful enough to counter the combined effect. The Chinese often write cheques their might cannot cash.

That they seem to have been so easily sidelines in SL is an example of how actually delusional Chinese imperial ambitions are. It was not just India you know. Japan and Us certainly played their role. The Chinese need to read up history and learn from Europe and the US and not rush things.

Glad that you atleast accepted Chinese imperial delusions. The next question is why would you wish for an imperial wannabe to begin to take over your country?

Sure you are correct on many things but I expected the new government to take a neutral stance instead of picking one over the other.

I don't see how this project is related to military and how India's interests are threatened due to this project. It was purely commercial. If it is the harbour then it is understandable but why this project?

 

[Arya Desa]

Brilliant!

 

[kaykay]

Sri Lanka should never have allowed Chinese Submarines on their port. Economic cooperation is one thing but in the shadow of it you can't play with our national security.

 

[Nicky G]

Sure you are correct on many things but I expected the new government to take a neutral stance instead of picking one over the other.

I don't see how this project is related to military and how India's interests are threatened due to this project. It was purely commercial. If it is the harbour then it is understandable but why this project?

That's the real problem, being neutral. The geography unfortunately as the critical island nation in the Indian ocean and its significance to both India and China means, you guys will have a tough time being neutral.

Anything that helps China gain a hold in SL would be perceived to be potentially strategic and thus counter to India. Add Japan and US to the mix and their desire to hold off China, this situation was inevitable.

Its not such SL though, look at what's going on in Maldives and other smaller Asian countries. It will be tough for you guys to be neural in the coming years and I expect such turnabouts with change in regimes will be common.

Given where we are, you need to work out whether you wish to be close to India and consequently Japan and US or China.

History also plays a role, you helped Pakistan in '71 and then you allowed the Chinese nuke sub to dock. That was a silly move both by you and the Chinese. The Chinese were gauging for a reaction and they got one, you just were the playground.

 

[Azizam]

That's the real problem, being neutral. The geography unfortunately as the critical island nation in the Indian ocean and its significance to both India and China means, you guys will have a tough time being neutral.

Anything that helps China gain a hold in SL would be perceived to be potentially strategic and thus counter to India. Add Japan and US to the mix and their desire to hold off China, this situation was inevitable.

Its not such SL though, look at what's going on in Maldives and other smaller Asian countries. It will be tough for you guys to be neural in the coming years and I expect such turnabouts with change in regimes will be common.

Given where we are, you need to work out whether you wish to be close to India and consequently Japan and US or China.

History also plays a role, you helped Pakistan in '71 and then you allowed the Chinese nuke sub to dock. That was a silly move both by you and the Chinese. The Chinese were gauging for a reaction and they got one, you just were the playground.

So do you think India/US/Japan can provide the same economical benefits as China did?

 

[Nicky G]

So do you think India/US/Japan can provide the same economical benefits as China did?

In the long run, certainly. Even if not, its not just about economic considerations. You have weigh what the economic benefits cost you in strategic terms. There is nothing called a free lunch in this world and certainly not in geo-politics.

If as you state that China is much more suited currently to be an imperial power than India, why invite them into your country?

 

[SR-91]

**** off indians

In other words, Sri Lanka is always going to be a 3rd world shithole of a country.

What a bunch of apes you guys are. Cheering over every piece of news that has nothing to do with you. Tomorrow if two planets collide with each other in a distant galaxy, you will say that it's Modi who did it. Before you play some big boy's geopolitical game, you should take a good look at your own country which is farrrrrrrrrrr miserable than China. China on the other hand is pragmatic and it works towards prosperity rather than wasting its resources for useless competitions. Sri Lanka needs China more than China needs Sri Lanka.

This retarded decision will only prove that Sri Lanka is not a reliable country to invest because everything depends on which political party is ruling. It seems no matter what we try we can never stop being "South Asians".

Oh Yeah!!!!!!! Sure !!!!
And what bout the billions of dollars china gave to ur PRAGMATIC ex president?
He stole from u.
Sri Lanka to probe hidden foreign assets after Rajapaksa defeat| Reuters
Sri Lanka to probe hidden foreign assets after Rajapaksa defeat.

 

[SR-91]

Short sighted political decision.. Agree with @Azizam .. A trait of third world politics.. Very bad message sent out to foreign investors.. Yes there are questions of corruption and a lack of clarity in the deal.. Also no proper environmental assessment have been done.. Environmental activists are protesting daily on the site but things should be handled much better.. Chinese are one of the strongest allies at all times.. And a major investor that others can actually dream of.. Not sure how prudent these moves from the new govt are

You need to bring urself up to speed with this, before u start commenting comically.
Did u know the port itself was a big subject of controversy?
Did u know Sri Lanka already signed a nuclear pact with India?

Now.

 

[shaheenmissile]

These are chinese Diplomatic failures and Indian diplomatic victories. China is trash at diplomacy.

 

[nik22]

So do you think India/US/Japan can provide the same economical benefits as China did?

You got to ask this. If China does massive investment, what does China get in return? You either become exploited like Africa or go to a situation like Pak is. You may be aware what is happening with Gwadar.

Being close to China, annoys US, Japan, European nations, Australia and India as well. Being neutral is the Best SL should do. Investment will come, not just from China but other countries like Japan, India as well.

I think your Govt took sane decision.

 

[Azizam]

You got to ask this. If China does massive investment, what does China get in return? You either become exploited like Africa or go to a situation like Pak is. You may be aware what is happening with Gwadar.

Being close to China, annoys US, Japan, European nations, Australia and India as well. Being neutral is the Best SL should do. Investment will come, not just from China but other countries like Japan, India as well.

I think your Govt took sane decision.

That's why I always wanted SL to take a neutral stance when it comes to foreign policy especially regarding India/China/US etc. but as one of the Indian members said, being neutral is becoming increasing difficult in this region as US is also actively shifting its focus towards our region. And due to Sri Lanka's physical location, it has to give some consideration to India's interests, sometimes even at the cost of its economic interests as seen in this instance where even India rejected the project at first fully knowing the outcome and now started complaining against it.

What do you mean by exploitation? You should always look for investors and learn to reap benefits from them. The problem with Africa is that all of its income goes to a handful of elites and the general public doesn't get to enjoy anything but in the case of Sri Lanka, openly involving in corruption is not something easy to do.

Lastly, you should remove your negative outlook on China. No Asian country nowadays can survive without China and it's going to be the largest economy in the world. Even China's most hostile enemies including Japan and Taiwan understand this and they actively trade with China. This is the difference between East Asia and South Asia. East Asians always take a pragmatic approach beyond their ordinary hostilities but South Asians on the other hand tend to sacrifice their own well-being to see the other being destroyed.

 

[nik22]

Lastly, you should remove your negative outlook on China. No Asian country nowadays can survive without China and it's going to be the largest economy in the world. Even China's most hostile enemies including Japan and Taiwan understand this and they actively trade with China. This is the difference between East Asia and South Asia. East Asians always take a pragmatic approach beyond their ordinary hostilities but South Asians on the other hand tend to sacrifice their own well-being to see the other being destroyed.

The example you are quoting my friend, India has been practicing that for more than a decade. We have close to $70B trade with China. Decision to open trade with China was a diplomatically calculated move and of course pragmatic (there have been enough discussion about why India did that). India and Pakistan struggle to replicate the same model as Pakistan has always hesitated and continue to do so. You may have also heard about China's plan to make $20B investment in India in 5 years. India welcome that and welcome more investment. India welcome investment from all over world. Really, that is not the example you should quote.

While India continue to work with US, it also try to maintain good relations with old friend Russia. There are always continuous communication with China. If you would understand, that is a very tough job India is trying to do. Working with Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, US and Russia, China. I think India is showing enough pragmatism to keep a balance. That is what SL missed to do.

I am not negative on China but cautious. I just sound a word of caution about the investment China had planned to do in your country. I am not the only one who share some concern or caution with regard to China, they are many countries in Asia and outside.

 

[Kaniska]

**** off indians

In other words, Sri Lanka is always going to be a 3rd world shithole of a country.

What a bunch of apes you guys are. Cheering over every piece of news that has nothing to do with you. Tomorrow if two planets collide with each other in a distant galaxy, you will say that it's Modi who did it. Before you play some big boy's geopolitical game, you should take a good look at your own country which is farrrrrrrrrrr miserable than China. China on the other hand is pragmatic and it works towards prosperity rather than wasting its resources for useless competitions. Sri Lanka needs China more than China needs Sri Lanka.

This retarded decision will only prove that Sri Lanka is not a reliable country to invest because everything depends on which political party is ruling. It seems no matter what we try we can never stop being "South Asians".

I agree with you...We have to understand that whatever SriLanka does for its own interest is not always necessary for in under pressure from India..It may be a genuine case where Chinies company might be looting Lankan govt so the Gov cancelled the deal and will go for better deal now..

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

**** off indians

In other words, Sri Lanka is always going to be a 3rd world shithole of a country.

What a bunch of apes you guys are. Cheering over every piece of news that has nothing to do with you. Tomorrow if two planets collide with each other in a distant galaxy, you will say that it's Modi who did it. Before you play some big boy's geopolitical game, you should take a good look at your own country which is farrrrrrrrrrr miserable than China. China on the other hand is pragmatic and it works towards prosperity rather than wasting its resources for useless competitions. Sri Lanka needs China more than China needs Sri Lanka.

This retarded decision will only prove that Sri Lanka is not a reliable country to invest because everything depends on which political party is ruling. It seems no matter what we try we can never stop being "South Asians".

China will alway be SL friend..and i will say this "all weather friend" because we will support Sri Lanka regardless of the regime and who govern the country..that all weather get it meaning. When next Chinese sub surface on Sl port again, you will see these jump of joy Indians will start to cry over again.

So Chins is outrightly checkmated in Sri Lanka .

Too.much for a wannabe Super power.
Long live India -SriLanka relation

We dont need to criticism their govt and we dont have any.right to do so.That is the sole authority of SL voters.
@Gibbs your opiniin.

Not so fast my yindo friend...the game is not over yet ...when you're jumping of joy, it's us who decide how height you will jump....we certainly know how to calibrate our foreign diplomacy.

So much for Chinese sphere of influence.

And we certainly know the demarcation of Indian sphere influence

 

[Beast]

The game is not even over yet and the Indian will think SL will forever stay allies to their side?

Remember how Bangladesh, myanmar and pakistan are still allied with China?

Money makes the world goes round. If India think they are smart to do regime change then money will certain works in someway. I can believe preparation is underway to counter this. US and India do not have much money. They can't really spur SL economy and probably a year later with SL economy growth stagnant. It will be a good time to plot regime change.

SL doing this is killing any foreign investment policy.