China says ties with Lanka only for development

China says the cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is only for the peace and development and that it has no intention to target a third party.

“I can clearly declare that there is no ulterior purposes or hidden agenda in the cooperation. We also urge and would like to see all the countries in the Indian Ocean region to play a positive and constructive role in promoting the regional security and cooperation, and work together to achieve win-win situation for all,” Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang said yesterday.

He was speaking at the defence seminar held in Colombo organised by the Sri Lanka Army.

The Ambassador said that China will continue to be committed to promoting regional peace and stability through enhancing the cooperation with Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries in South Asia, South East Asia, Middle East and Africa.

He also said that China will continue to cooperate with members of the ReCAAP, of which cover Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, U.S., ASEAN countries, Korea, Japan, Australia and EU members, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and UK, in strengthening the mechanism and action against piracy.

“China has provided assistance to other countries to the best of its ability and shall always be a reliable friend and sincere partner of other developing countries. We strives to play a constructive role in international affairs with an objective and impartial position, and will never depend on or subjugate itself to any external forces. We proposed to replace confrontation with cooperation and replace zero-sum game with mutual benefits. Cooperation for win-win outcomes should be adopted as the fundamental goal in interactions between countries. And it is necessary to seek common ground while shelving differences, increase common interests and defuse disputes, and pursue peace, development and security through cooperation. While seeking security and development for themselves, countries need to accommodate the security of others and work for common development of all,” he added.

He says China seeks mutual benefit and common development with other countries under the context of globalisation, and will work together with other countries to build a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity. (Colombo Gazette)