Sri Lanka’s pivot to China A delicate diplomatic act in a rivalry-infused region

• China willing to import more quality and specialty products from Sri Lanka
• Chinese enterprises encouraged to invest and do business in the country

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, assured that China would continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka without political strings attached, according to a press release issued by the Chinese embassy in Colombo. The content of the press release gives a clear idea about the latest direction of Sino-Lanka bilateral ties which were occasionally marked by differences in the past, particularly under different governments on Sri Lanka.   

The official communique started with emphasis on President Xi’s assurance to Sri Lanka that China would help Sri Lanka without any political strings attached. It is an obvious reference to the countries having competing strategic interests with China in the region, a matter that makes it a tightrope diplomatic walk for Sri Lanka.   
 Rivalry is much more pronounced as President Xi makes such an indirect swipe at other powers. In the latest episode, Sri Lanka had to delay the permission for a Chinese research vessel ‘Shi Yang 6’ to be berthed in the Sri Lankan ports over resistance from a third party. The Chinese side views that Sri Lanka should decide independently. The two presidents met in the backdrop of widening differences related to the berthing of this research vessel in Sri Lankan waters.   

However, the content of the press statement issued by the meeting on Friday gives clarity on bilateral ties in clear-cut terms. President Ranil Wickremesinghe went to attend the event to mark the tenth anniversary of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project. He met with the Chinese leaders on the sidelines of the event. It is a long standing political tradition in China to celebrate the tenth anniversary mark. For this event, 23 heads of state attended the event. The fact that President Wickremesinghe himself participated among them is a clear indication of Sri Lanka’s recognition of the BRI project, shunned by the western powers lined up to contain the rise of China.   
The press release, in fact, cited President Wickremesinghe as saying that Sri Lanka had attached great importance to and actively participated in the BRI from the very beginning and had faith in its potential and prospects.  

Sri Lanka is among the first countries to accept the BRI initiative, a decision taken by the then Mahinda Rajapaksa government. Now the government led by President Wickremesinghe throws its weight behind it.   
 “Noting the openness of the Indian Ocean, Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is willing to enhance communication with China in regional affairs and promote solidarity and cooperation among developing countries,” the press release said.  

The media release stated:  

“China is glad to see Sri Lanka becoming a commercial center in the Indian Ocean,” it said quoting President Xi.  
“He said China stood ready to work with Sri Lanka to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and push for new progress in developing China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and lasting friendship.  

China is willing to import more quality and specialty products from Sri Lanka, and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, so as to help Sri Lanka transform and upgrade its economy and achieve sustainable development, Xi said.  

The two sides should strengthen collaboration on international and regional affairs, oppose the politicization of human rights issues and block confrontation, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and developing countries, Xi said.  

Sri Lanka will seek enhanced investments from China. China’s long term interest in developing trade linkages also become apparent in the statement as the Chinese leader wanted to import more from Sri Lanka. 

• The two sides should strengthen collaboration on international and regional affairs, oppose the politicization of human rights issues and block confrontation, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and developing countries