China’s support crucial for Sri Lanka’s national development: President Sirisena

Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan on Friday called on President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s official residence to exchange views on China-Sri Lanka relations and the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In a statement the Chinese Embassy said President Sirisena stressed that the friendship between the two countries dated back to ancient times. He stated that the tremendous assistance provided by China to the economic and social development of Sri Lanka was highly appreciated by Sri Lanka. Furthermore, he asserted that China’s continuous support was indispensable for Sri Lanka to realise its future development and make itself a new economic centre in the Indian Ocean.

The President highlighted that Sri Lanka strongly supported the Belt and Road Initiative, and attached great importance to the joint megaprojects of the Colombo Port City as well as the Hambantota Port and Industrial Park. He added that instructions had been given to the concerned government departments to accelerate the resolution of specific issues and make solid progress with the projects. 

President Sirisena expressed his objective of attracting more investment and assistance from China for Sri Lanka’s economic development as well as its people’s livelihood. The President revealed that he looked forward to the early groundbreaking of the National Nephropathy Specialist Hospital assisted by the Chinese side to relieve the pain of local patients.

Responding to allegations of Chinese militarisation at the Hambantota Port raised by foreign media outlets recently, the President stated that China as a sincere friend always reached out with a helping hand whenever Sri Lanka faced difficulties. The handing over of the Hambantota Port after its long-term unsuccessful operation was another example of this. The two countries’ friendly cooperation with Hambantota Port focuses on economic development without any other hidden agenda.

Talking about the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA) to be held in Geneva at the end of this month, the President reiterated Sri Lanka’s unswerving support to the One China policy and China’s position concerning the Taiwan issue in the global arena including the WHA.

Ambassador Cheng stressed that China attaches great importance to its friendly relations with Sri Lanka and was willing to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. Based on the golden principles of consultation, contribution and shared benefits, China will actively promote pragmatic Sino-Lankan cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to benefit the two countries’ people. It is believed that under the joint efforts of both sides, especially under the personal guidance of President Sirisena, the megaprojects of the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Comprehensive Development Project will be rapidly developed so as to help the island country realise its development dream. 

Ambassador Cheng opposed any unfounded speculation over the military purpose of joint projects, warning that certain external forces were trying to attack the joint operation of the two sides in Hambantota as well as their friendly bilateral relations. 

The Ambassador said that China was willing to support Sri Lanka in developing its economy and improving its people’s livelihood. The Ambassador highlighted that the preliminary work of the National Nephropathy Specialist Hospital donated by China to Sri Lanka had almost been completed and construction will soon commence. It is expected to be inaugurated within two years. Ambassador Cheng thanked the Sri Lanka for its firm support over Taiwan, Xizang (Tibet) and other issues concerning its core interests. China also resolutely supports Sri Lanka’s national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and never interferes in the latter’s internal affairs. Ambassador said that China was willing to work with Sri Lanka to promote its economic and social development in the spirit of mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation so as to build a China-Sri Lanka community for a shared future.