China on Thursday expressed its strong opposition to the United States-backed resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) calling on Sri Lanka to address rights violations, describing it as a move to “impose pressure.”
Hours ahead of the crucial vote in Geneva, the Chinese government went as far as saying that Sri Lanka had made “great strides” in promoting human rights and towards achieving national reconciliation, in a rare vote of confidence for a Sri Lankan government embattled by growing international criticism.
“We oppose using a country-specific human rights resolution to impose pressure,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told reporters on Thursday. “We believe the Sri Lankan government and people are capable of handling their own affairs.”
Dialogue, the way out
China believed that “dialogue and cooperation is the fundamental way out for the human rights dispute.” “In recent years, in terms of promoting human rights and realising national reconciliation, Sri Lanka has made great strides,” he said.
Beijing's view was that the international community should play “a constructive role” in helping Cokombo achieve stability.
Chinese officials have reiterated their support to the Sri Lankan government in strong terms even as the country has come under rising pressure from the international community to investigate alleged human rights violations.
Cause for concern
China's growing ties with Sri Lanka, marked by increasing financial and military support in recent months, have emerged as a source of concern in India.
The two countries pledged to deepen their strategic ties earlier this month when Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited Beijing.
Mr. Rajapaksa “expressed thanks for China's support in the process of Sri Lanka ending the civil war and pushing reconstruction and development,” the official Xinhua news agency quoted him as telling Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie.
Mr. Liang stressed that China “will continue to support Sri Lanka's efforts in safeguarding state independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Keywords: Sri Lanka war crimes, human rights violation, civilian killiing, UNHRC report, Eelam War, LTTE, Prabakaran killing, ethnic conflict, Sri Lankan Tamils, China support
(a) The Tamils of Sri Lanka who supported or were part of the now dead
LTTE and (b) their so-called supporters in Tamilnadu who were trying to
make an irrelevant political capital out of LTTE terrorism and now
staging protest march against UN resolution on human rights violations -
- have a lesson. Hopefully both of them will try and take it
earnestly. The lesson is that they will not get any international
support merely because of any large number of them joining together
against an established sovereign state.
I'm waiting for the future until china be the superpower of the world and then correct the American faults around the world
Will India support china then?
@ Ganapathy Moorthy: It is irony that you know only the sufferings of Tamils under the hands of LTTE but not the brutal massacre, rape and killing of thousands of women by Sinhalese regime.
It is true that the global power map of the world is extremely dynamic. But, it does not in any way justify India's inconsistent pro and contra policy towards the Sri Lankan government. All these pro-human rights nations of the world are the biggest supplier of arms. Be it the US, UK, Germany, etc. If there is always risk of misusing them and abusing human rights, why sell them at the first place? It is very clear that such countries are really not bothered about the human rights record but only on covertly improving their sphere of influence. If it was a US soldier who goes about killing a dozen civilians, he is termed "rogue". If it is a Sri Lankan soldier who kills an important heir, the entire nation is termed "rogue". At least China has always been clear in its stance. They take sides at the start, remain the same, supply arms, vanquish the minority and make economic roads into the country. Who is right? None...The minority will suffer this way or that way!
China is creating its base in border countries all around India. Our
government and the ruling party have no time to think about these
issues of national importance. They are sandwiched between the US
pressures from outside and the intra and inter party political
pressures from within. Too many parties in India founded on narrow
aims are negative to unity and integrity in the country. Besides this
every party has its part in corruption, scams and crimes. Who does not
know it is all detrimental national development and growth? What
action is possible? But national time is wasted! When the situations
concerning the nation is to be discussed in all party meetings to work
out our own strategies, What would be the outcome? Quite a dangerous
situation and it is leading to anarchy.
China is creating its base in border countries all around India. Our
government and the ruling party have no time to think about these
issues of national importance. They are sandwiched between the US
pressures from outside and the intra and inter party political
pressures from within. Too many parties in India founded on narrow
aims are negative to unity and integrity in the country. Besides this
every party has its part in corruption, scams and crimes. Who does not
know it is all detrimental national development and growth. What
action is possible? But national time is wasted! When the situations
concerning the nation is to be discussed in all party meetings to work
out our own strategies, What would be the outcome? Quite a dangerous
situation and it is leading to anarchy.
Shame - On India! Our government has shown it totally lacks strategic vision when it comes to international geo-politics and what we should be asking today is who are our friends in the neighborhood, importantly from the South Asian block - Not Pakistan; Not Bangladesh; AND now NOT Sri Lanka! Well done you shortsighted bungling dolts from our PM down - you have just pushed Sri Lanka into the arms of China, likely for good! By these dolts' bungling, today India showed it does not have the "guts" to ever be a world leader - rather this action showed that India is still the same old "Indian shoe-shining little brown boy" of white colonial masters who when asked to jump, would obediently ask - how high sire? Basically, today India caved into an agenda set up by the murderous LTTE proxies both here in Tamil Nadu and in the West - yes, the same LTTE that blew up Congress' Rajiv Gandhi with an explosives-strapped, woman suicide killer. Truly, shame on India!
All that it says is China is one nation while India is practically not with all its different cultures. Like the USSR its high time India broke up than think of war games in the region because China and Russia with Putin are one.Blood is thicker than water.
India will never be a super power if they cow down to the west led by the U.S. Stand
firm and don't be bullied. All of asia has lost faith in you. Talk about human right's in
India, now that's a very big joke. What human rights do people have when 60% of the
populations lives in abject poverty and 14 states are under the control of the
Naxalites. The world should open their eyes,please travel through India and you will
understand....?
Regardless what atrocities did or did not happen on the ground, The US and EU involvement in the guise of UN, can only do harm. Numerous scribes have attributed ulterior motives to China's motives, forgetting that Russia took the same line.
Some Indians seem to suffer from "encirclement" syndrome, in fact China could have made the same argument about encirclement by the West, but they are a confident nation, their motives are the same as in Syria, they don't want the West to become the arbiter of every dispute.
The West has a long history of pocketing whatever is under dispute. As a proverb in Urdu says; When the arbiter is screaming louder than the plaintiff, it is not justice that is taking place.
Sri Lanka has never been a true well wisher of India. China has already established their
base in Sri Lanka. It is too late for India.
India must have strong foreign policy. For that Indian leaders should be strong in their views and agenda. For good and intellectual leaders, people need to choose these leaders carefully. And the thinking comes from education and love for the motherland.
So I think we all know what we lack!
I guess it's good idea to analyse the root of the problem, it always helps!
This proved that Sri Lanka can never trust India in future as a friend. Sri Lanka should now give Trincomalee harbour in the East to China and Hambantota Harbour in the South, to Russia to set up Military bases to protect Sri Lanka from Foreign vultures disguised as friends.
China and Russia are so dangerous,and real cunning countries.They are
looking for places to build their own centers.China will be one of the
countries who helped to kill the SL Tamil Ethnic in 2009.They supplied
arms free to this government.Today they own lands here.Come and see it.
What India has done is gone against the grain out of all our neighbouring nations based on a principled stand - this is what stuck out to me most when looking at the results. I reiterate, all of SL's neighbours voted in SL's favour - apart from India. Why? Because of what is at stake for India - the crazy Tamil Nadu politicians and the DMK breakaway were too bigger issues to prioritise below SL.
Congress ultimately looked at itself, the opportunities and threats it faced - congresses survival did/does have a bearing on the way it voted today. At the same time with China on it's doorstep, and the US eager to thwart China, who is of more 'benefit' to India? the US obviously with the common goals of thwarting China as well as increased co operation of some kind.
India i'm sure realises that is has veered away from a principled stand; a reigniting of an LTTE would have a direct effect on TN, but when you weigh it all up, who cares about a poor island of 20m?
What China has done was expected, the thing is where we stand. India
need to apply an aggressive diplomacy and engage Sri Lanka on a range
of issues ranging from their internal compulsions to our own
sensitivities. We must apprise them with our commitments and we must
respect their coercion.
At the same time we must actively engage other countries like Vietnam
in south china sea to counter chinese influence in subcontinent. In
case of provocation we must not forget to use trump card Taiwan which
is actively played by USA.
The thing is we must not become apprehensive enough before saying or
doing what we believe in. It only gives a wrong signal to our adversaries.
In many cases like in case of Palestine,Iran and also now in case of Srilanka India,s foreign policy governed by or influenced by local internal politics or for Minority vote bank.Not taking the future and interest of the nation in mind.More over our PM who dont have any personality ,Potentiality,any decision making power,Lack of leader,s voice then what will be the future of this Country?He is so weak that he can,t even walk,talk freely.Above this every where there is some kind of corruption inside our country.This kind of leaders how lead the Nation?How will he motivate his countrymen?Not only China,Pakistan also will take this opportunity as a booster to strengthen their ties with Srilanka,Which is geopolitically bad for India.This is a matter of great concern.. Oh God save my Nation.I love my India,But hate these polititians.I think this is 60+ years unsuccessful Democracy.
India, USA and rest of the Western world share common values on democracy and human rights. In these countries, minorities enjoy equal rights and freedom. Take a look at India's head of state and USA's head of state, both comes from minority population.
Now imagine, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan - How they treat their minorities ? Does Hindus in Pakistan enjoys similar freedom of Muslims in India or USA enjoys ? We should stand up for our democratic values and freedom and support it as a just cause around the world.
Now why would anyone surprised by China's move ? Doesn't rouge states stick together ?
HARISH- So according to you toeing the US line is treachery and
foolish but toeing the Chinese line is "diplomatic pragmatism"?
Sovereignty does not empower you to kill and target otherwise people
of a particular group in your country with malicious intentions. Our
Army in JK is accountable to the govt, which is why they are pulled up
for every untoward incident they are involved in. If the Army employed
deadly force against the JK militants as the Sri Lankans did, the
militants would have been dead long ago. Plus the resolution doesn't
support the LTTE. It calls the SL govt to be held accountable for its
actions on ordinary civilians who happen to be Tamils, the same group
form which the LTTE emerged.
The biggest joke is that the USA is bringing this resolution. No argumnet is needed to prove it has nothing to do with HR. So why all this? Either US wants to divert attention from other things - everybody knows what I mean - or they want to destabilze the anti-western Rajapakse Govt. or most probably they want to destabilize the whole region by destructing the now existing good relationship between India and Sri Lanka. In any case they are the winners. Anyway the Q arrises is can Sri Lanka rely on India? The answer is not when it comes to the Tamil separatism! By giving in to communal level politicians the central govt. of India loses its creditability. Does India thinks it should help create a little TN in SL, another one in Malayasia, one in South Africa etc?
Typical India - always a day late and rupee short. Eternally, a
superpower wannabe. Supporting an America in decline - and voting
against Sri Lanka - a strategically located country with enormous
potential to be realized with oil and gas about to be discovered. I
wonder how India feels being an American poodle?
The best part of India voting against Sri Lanka is that now it knows
who its real friends are. That string of Chinese pearls i.e
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lankan bases around India is an ever
tightening noose.
It was an unfortunated decision that India took and it is because of the pressures from political parties. Srilanka will lose faith in India as a friend and neighbouring country. Srilanka has already shown their gratitude towards china. India, atleast could have maintanined a scilence in the decision. Now India has enimies from all four sides. It's painful that ThamilNadu doesn't have a national concern. They care about only their people.
Though we always try to match up India and China, I don't think India is any way close to the Chinese. China soon will be the number one economy of the world. In most issues it stands on its own footing compared to India. India needs the west (now weak) to lean on, on all issues. All these show we give India more credit than what it really deserves.
As expected, India caved in to pressure from U.S. and also to
safeguard it's political interest at home. India can never become a
leader in the region if it keeps on to change its colours. Indra
Gandhi promoted Tamil militancy initially to safeguard the region from
falling into the hands of U.S. Now the government controlled by her
daughter-in-law has helped to carry on the hidden agenda of the U.S.
The congress government always seem to take decisions in view of short
term benefits and forget what would it mean in the long run in regard
to the interest of the country as a whole.
I am a Sri Lankan Tamil, I know to what extent the Tamils suffered at
the hands of the LTTE. If people believe that the western powers
brought the resolution against Sri LANKA in the interest of the human
rights, they are terribly wrong. Nowadays, the media mislead the
people in the wrong direction for business or other benefits. Had the
war not ended in May 2009, there would have been more destruction
Long before you know it, the Chinese Navy would be dominating the waters off the Indian coast. This is the primary reason that China supports Sri Lanka on this issue. The other being it is repressive towards its own people and does not like anyone else meddling in its treatment of Tibetans and the Uighurs.
Now we must understand that we cannot and will never beat China in any form of international policies. China has its own stand where India cannot withstand the US pressure. In all its international issues India has tied a thick bandage on its eyes and following wherever US is taking it. Every country has its dignity and right to protect its sovereignty, and this is exactly waht Srilanka has done. If India is supporting the US backed UN resolution on this issue then India should call back our army from J&K. Otherwise in international community India will be isolated.
At least China has the back bone to express its position emphatically compared to Manmohan Singh who dilly dallied and made statements with so many but and if. India was always conducting itself with eye on the vote and support of Tamil of Tamil nadu rather than the welfare of Tamils in Sri Lanka. India was mainly responsible for all the chaos in SL by arming and funding Tamil terrorist groups. Otherwise SL would have emerged as one of the best harmonious countries in Asia.
Now the cat is out of the bag.China supporting Sri Lanka clearly
marks
its intention of encircling India for any future designs.We can and
never should trust China for all its sweet talk of today.Honey at the
the tip of tongue and poison at the bottom of heart.Like a snake that
looks enchanting with its raised hood but with meaning to strike.If we
forget history our posterity will rue its day.Remember Chou- en-
Lai.If US withdraws its imports from China the next day the latter's
economy will collapse.For this,India should mass-produce pin to an
engine of good quality at cheap prices.Can/will we do it?
Sri Lanka is the best country that protects HUMAN RIGHTS. It gives free Medicine, Free Education untill obtaining a University Degree irrespective of race, ethnicity or religion even though Sri Lanka is stiill a third world country.In the year 1505, Portugees invaded Sri Lanka and then Hollenders followed by British. We got independence in the year 1948. So for 443 years we had to live a misarable life where our ancesters were killed,girls were raped,houses and buddhist temples were set on fire. Then 1948 to 1978 we did not have any fears. Then LTTE started its activities for 30 years untill 2008.They killed so many Children,Women and Men.They destroyed Central Bank,Most Sacred Palace of Lord Buddhas Tooth Relic,our one and only International Airport. They Killed His Excelency President Premadasa. They also Killed Rajiv Ghandhi,leader of more than 1Billion people.Government sent Rice to innocent Tamil civillions which LTTE used to make Bunkers.LTTE got Money from developed countries.
China is blindly supporting Sri Lanka for sake of thier own benefit with no concern about the human rights.
China has provided illegal weapons like cluster bombs to finish off minority Tamils in Sri Lanka.
China's efforts will also going to be defeated this time as well.
Historically China has always acted as a bully to other states and to its own citizens. It has committed acts of violence on its own citizens and has always been in the forefront of coutries oppossing the expression of rights. It has has violently repressed the oppositions of ethninc communities and the individuals who have tried to make changes in the country. Its support to Sri Lanka comes in the backdrop of growing proximity with Sri Lanka and the greater role it wants to exert in the Indian Ocean.
Hi China
what do you know about the singhalese government and leaders human rights records. You must go through the abuse and killing history of innocents and then see about supporting which side, tamils or singhalese?
It was not astonishing to learn that China going to oppose US backed
resolution against Sri Lanka as this country itself a horrific human
right violator by, inter alia, forceful land acquisition and unaccounted
custodial killings. It is seen as mere geopolitical game as India is on
the way with US against Sri Lanka. But in any case net loser will be
India as this is a zero sum game.
China would support Sri Lanka irrespective of massive human rights violations because the country needs a foothold on the island. This is a deterrent against neighbours and other super powers.
State independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity - Do they know meaning of
it... !!! My Doubt is, Are they really Buddhists ?
The world knows the Human Rights record of China and the monstrous Chinese regime that undoubtedly will back undemocratic and murderous regimes.
No one cares about China and all human rights lovers have to boycott China and its products and services.
what china has Done is Great & Right One...hope india does same with
giving in to pressure from pro-LTTE outfits in india
The Hindu always giving more important to Srilanka than Tamil Nadu
This was imminent , India's dumb politicians don't understand the
strategic value of countries, so sad that we are ruled by pathetic UPA,
their foreign policies are wretched, Malaysia is against India and now
SL.
Best of luck to India and Indians.
This is expected, Chinese will opposes what ever India proposes to do &
more over this was an opportunity for chinese to come closer towards
Srilanka. India should engage SL more so that SL dont fall under Chinese
clutches.
Thanks for supporting the reality. Having a backbone to stand against the violation of rights of the countries.
Mr. Hong Lei,
Hello. If you believe that Sri Lanka is quite capable for handling
it's own affairs, then why are you opposing the U.N. resolution?
Shouldn't it be the sole purview of Sri Lanka? If you truly want us to
believe what you have stated, then why did you "support Sri Lanka"
with it's military infrastructure? Yes, Sri Lanka does require aid in
achieving stability for it's residents' lives. Yes, all it's Asian
neighbours need to support it during times of need. That does not mean
we can turn a blind eye to all the atrocities it has commited as "acts
of war".
Not surprising.As long as Sri Lanka is willing to give space for China to build docks and yards,China would bend their head over heels and support Sri Lanka.Also China is not a pioneer in promoting human rights.For them it is just another attack and occupy story.
China is supporting blindly in this issue to srilanka because they want
to hit back india for Tibetian issues . They wants to strengthen their
position in South East Asia, Earlier they have Pakistan to do this. Now
pakistan and India both are very close to US, so China started
supporting Srilanka to control the South East Asian region.
Congratulations China! Let me join many Indians in congratulating your stand and telling countries like the USA that their meddling ways are not really welcome in this part of the world. Our government seems to have gone into a retarded sleep mode, not knowing what to do. Support Sri Lanka! There is far too much friendship at stake to even be thinking at this point. Ask the USA what happened to all those they displaced from Diego Garcia to build their naval base.
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