SL-China relations for betterment of both countries

• China says no request from Sri Lankan government for surveillance system

The long-standing relationship between China and Sri Lanka is entirely based on goodwill and the betterment of the two countries in the Asian region, Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan confirmed yesterday.

Reiterating the cooperation between the two countries, Ambassador Cheng held that be it the Port City development project, defence cooperation, or tourism promotion, all actions are taken for the development of Sri Lanka.

With the first phase of the Port City development nearing completion, Ambassador Cheng was confident of the inflow of foreign investment to Sri Lanka. “I believe the Port City will attract more and more foreign investments. Actually, Port City will become a financial and trade centre with links to Dubai and Singapore. We believe Port City represents the friendship of the two countries. Hambantota development is also on our agenda as part of our economic cooperation. But now we know that the Government of Sri Lanka is changing the laws. Establishing new laws will promote better investment promotion in Port City. We are looking at having diverse promotional programs for the Port City. We are confident that the inflow of foreign capital will head towards Sri Lanka. Port City is actually a program the people of Sri Lanka will benefit,” he said.

Helping Sri Lanka to recover from the Easter Sunday attacks, Ambassador Cheng held the Chinese government was the first to lower the travel advisory issued. “In fact, during the President’s recent visit to China, we discussed the issues of tourism. China is among the few countries to lower the precaution level on two occasions. We believe more and more Chinese tourists will come to Sri Lanka through hard work and the cooperation between the two countries,” he said.

Looking at the security situation in the country and the controversial defence agreement to be signed with the United States, the Ambassador held that China is worried about security lapses. “Chinese people are very concerned about safety in Sri Lanka. China is doing everything we can to help Sri Lanka to fight terrorism. But we can help only if the Government of Sri Lanka requests. We haven’t received any official request from the Government of Sri Lanka for a surveillance system. We know the importance of the sovereignty of any developing country. We will never interfere with the internal affairs of other countries,” he said, referring to media reports about getting Chinese surveillance systems to Sri Lanka.

“Defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and China is different from any other military cooperation. We assist Sri Lanka with emergency requirements and training of personnel. China will never involve in the internal affairs of any other country,” he added. (AH)