China opposes external interference in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs
Friday, 14 February 2014 01:01
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Beijing: China has strongly criticised the countries that are pressuring Sri Lanka on the human rights issue, saying that people in Sri Lanka have the wisdom and capacity to manage their internal affairs.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying at a regular press conference on Wednesday said China supports the Sri Lankan Government in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We believe that people in Sri Lanka have the wisdom and capacity to manage their internal affairs and oppose some countries’ interference in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs under the pretext of the human rights issue,” Hua said.
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson was responding to the media query regarding the four-day official visit of Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris to Beijing from 10-13 February at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Minister Wang Yi.
The spokesperson said Vice President Li Yuanchao met with the Sri Lankan Minister and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with him on 11 February.
During the meeting the two sides have exchanged views on China-Sri Lanka relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest.
Gratified with the momentum of growth of bilateral relations, the two sides agreed to deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and based on that, to fully expand maritime cooperation and jointly build the maritime silk road of the 21st century, the spokesperson said.
During the talks, Peiris has briefed China on Sri Lanka’s post-war reconstruction and national reconciliation.
“The Sri Lankan side briefed us on its post-war reconstruction and national reconciliation. China applauds Sri Lanka’s efforts to promote economic and social development and improve people’s livelihood and human rights,” the Spokesperson said.
She said China always maintains that countries should dissolve differences in the field of human rights through dialogue and communication based on equality and mutual respect.
“We oppose politicising and imposing double standards on the issue of human rights,” Hua said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson called on the international community to “respect the right of the Sri Lankan Government and people to independently choose the path of development and create a favourable external environment for stability and prosperity of Sri Lanka.”
