SL should not bow to external pressure: Chinese Envoy

• Says previous MPs called some Chinese projects as ‘White  elephants’ but maintained that all projects were at SL’s request and SL  should know how to operate it   
• No such thing as Chinese debt trap and such allegations only benefit ‘different groups’   
• Despite 7 rounds of discussions on FTA, SL – China yet to reach agreement   
• Says China has no vested interests in SL  
• Requests SL government to maintain independent foreign policy for benefit of country  
• Stresses importance of Sri Lanka reaching a consensus with creditors

By JAMILA HUSAIN   

Sri Lanka must not bow to external pressure and must  maintain an independent foreign policy, especially at a time when some  ‘parties’ are trying to take advantage of its economic situation,  China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong told a group of journalists  in Colombo last evening.   

In an in-depth interaction, clearing China’s stance and  future relations with Sri Lanka, Qi said that some parties had portrayed  it to the Sri Lankan side that the island needs the help of other  countries to recover from its economic situation. Qi said this statement  was incorrect, as the Sri Lankan people must be confident in themselves  and look at strengthening ties with friendly partners such as China.   

“China does not have any personal agenda to be in Sri Lanka  or help the Sri Lankan people. We firmly believe that China’s  assistance to Sri Lanka will help it become an independent nation and  also help it withstand foreign pressure. With the consecutive elections  and the victory of the new government, Sri Lanka has opened a new  chapter and China is confident in Sri Lanka’s future,” Qi said.   

Reiterating that relations between China and Sri Lanka had  been strained when the former government rejected China’s request for a  scientific research vessel to enter Sri Lankan waters, Qi said that it  was disappointing to note that despite the strong ties, the former Sri  Lankan government took such a stance.   

He said that those research vessels were welcomed in  Maldivian waters, but were surprised and disappointed when Sri Lanka  rejected it.   

The Chinese envoy further said that despite some ‘parties’  maintaining that China had invested in ‘white elephant’ projects in Sri  Lanka, he said that each project the Chinese had invested in had been at  the previous Sri Lankan government’s request. Citing Lotus Tower as an  example, he said that after the tower was leased to a private company,  it started making a profit and has become an icon for Sri Lanka.  Commenting on the Hambantota Port and Colombo Port, he said both ports  were garnering massive revenue for the Sri Lankan government and firmly  asserted that when projects are built at the Sri Lankan government’s  request, the country must then know how to operate it.   

“Some former parliamentarians call some of these projects  as ‘White Elephant’ projects. But these allegations are baseless. China  built these projects on Sri Lanka’s request and it was the poor  operation of these projects from the Sri Lankan side that led to it  being unutilised,” Qi said.   

Speaking on allegations of China’s debt trap, Qi said there  was no such thing as a debt trap stating that China itself was a  developing country but yet provided loans and investments to Sri Lanka.  This was done due to the strong friendship shared between the two  countries and at Sri Lanka’s request.   

“When the loan is given, the creditor should not be blamed.  Instead, the one who should be blamed is the one who does not know how  to use the loan in a correct manner,” Qi said.   

Qi further said that despite seven rounds of discussions  with Sri Lanka, talks on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two  countries were still at a standstill because the Sri Lankan side thought  it was best to consult different groups on this matter. He said there  were also allegations from these groups that if the FTA is signed that  Sri Lanka would be dominated by the Chinese market. Qi said such  allegations were false and misleading.   

“I can assure you that if the FTA is signed and if the Sri  Lankan side feels that China is taking advantage, then after a year they  can adjust the agreement. There are many other countries benefitting  from an FTA with China. Why would we take advantage of Sri Lanka?” Qi  queried.   

Commenting on the economic situation, Qi said that Sri  Lanka should reach a consensus with its creditors as if it remains  without settling its old loans, any new loans the country takes will  become a burden. He said some creditors will also use it to their  advantage and gain more interest from Sri Lanka.