LNP – Local political hypocrisy holds no bar for Sino-Lanka ties
Despite past criticisms, the government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) has taken steps to elevate Sino-Lanka ties to the next level in terms of economic, investment cooperation in particular as it inked a deal with Sinopec for an investment of US $ 3.7 for a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels in Hambantota.
China – Sri Lanka relations remained stable right throughout but took a new direction after Sri Lanka joined hands with China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative more than ten years ago. Sri Lanka became one of the first countries to tie up this programme.
However, the Chinese projects, particularly the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port drove criticism over their perceived issues on sustainability. The parties that were in the opposition, on and off, fueled such criticism and even dubbed them white elephants.
No matter what, these very same parties acted otherwise after gaining power to run the country. The parties that formed the Yahapalana government in 2015 were so harsh on the Port City but back in power, these parties reviewed the project and proceeded with it under new terms, though.
Preliminary work for the proposed investment by Sinopec in Hambantota was made during the time of the last government. Also, Sinopec was assigned 150 fuel retail outlets in Sri Lanka which were operated by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation in 2023.
There was political criticism involved in this case. However, the new government inked the agreement with Sinopec yesterday when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited China. President Dissanayake was a vociferous critic of the Port City Project too. Now, as the Head of State, he is fully aligned with the project.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Dissanayake is on a state visit to China from January 14 to 17, 2025.
He held talks with President Xi Jinping, and met with Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
The visit saw the elevation of bilateral ties to the next level. Sri Lanka reaffirmed its strong commitment to the one-China principle, recognizing that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Sri Lanka firmly supports all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification, and opposes “Taiwan independence” in any form. Sri Lanka reiterated that it will never allow its territory to be used for any anti-China, separatist activities and will firmly support China on issues related to Xizang and Xinjiang. China reiterated that it will continue to firmly support Sri Lanka in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will respect and support Sri Lanka in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions. The Chinese side reiterated its commitment to an independent foreign policy of peace. Sri Lanka reiterated its commitment to an independent non-aligned foreign policy, according to the joint statement issued later.
The two sides agreed to advance all major signature projects including the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port integrated development, fully utilize such platforms as the Silk Road Workshop and carry out more livelihood programmes in Sri Lanka in accordance with the principles of planning together, building together and benefiting together, open, green and clean cooperation, and high-standard, people-centred and sustainable development.
Besides, the two sides were pleased to sign a Belt and Road cooperation plan to upgrade China-Sri Lanka high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and jointly open up new space for win-win development of higher standard, stronger resilience and greater sustainability.