China will extend increasing support to infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka and will also back the country's efforts to promote reconciliation without any external interference, Premier Wen Jiabao told visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in talks here on Thursday.
Mr. Wen said China was also ready to “promote communication” between the two countries with regard to infrastructure projects and expand two-way trade and investment, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The Chinese Premier said the “ever deepening” cooperation between both countries was promoting “regional peace and development”.
Mr. Rajapaksa is on a four-day visit to Beijing and Shenzhen, where he will be the guest of honour at Friday's opening of the 2011 Universiade, or university games, and will also meet President Hu Jintao.
His visit comes at a time of particular significance for the bilateral relationship, with Sri Lanka seeking crucial Chinese support against international pressure, in the wake of a United Nations report accusing the government of war crimes.
Mr. Rajapaksa told Mr. Wen Sri Lanka appreciated China's valuable long-term support.
“We also appreciate very much the understanding shown by China on the pressures of the post-conflict period, and the support extended to heal the wounds of war,” he told Xinhua in an interview earlier this week.
On Thursday, Mr. Rajapaksa was conferred an honorary doctorate by Beijing Foreign Studies University.
He addressed students of the university's Sri Lanka Study Centre, where 17 Chinese students are learning the Sinhala language.
Keywords: China-Sri Lanka relations
I feel that the Indian geo-political strategists/ analysts are not advising the Indian polity adequately and appropriately.As a result, Indian policy seems to be stuck in the 'Old Cold War' syndrome. It's high time India realises that there is a 'New Cold War'. While the Old Cold War was about 'territorial' domination and expansionism, the New Cold War is about securing/ dominating the limited global energy resources, without which national economies cannot be sustained. National economies have evolved to such an extent that their survival and that of their citizens is heavily 'Energy' dependent.While China has realised this shift in cold war, I'm sorry to say that India has not.
What is China is doing right now is that the country is doing what has to be done to lift the country to the forefront of world affairs within a near future. We don't hear much about corruption and malpractices within the ruling members there. But in India, corruption and malpractices among the ruling lot has become the accepted norm. Moreover, the political leadership is much concerned about protecting their wealth and well being of their family leaders than to find ways and means improve relationship with neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka. The leadership is susceptible to pressure groups and western powers so as to ignore the common good for the country.
India needs to counter China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.
Indians or Sri Lankans do not have to worry a bit because what China is doing basically what the Western nations will never do for a developing country. If we had oil USA would have helped us.
Well fantastic execution by China when our so called leaders are busy swindling the country and emptying their swiss bank accounts into the Cayman or Isle of Man.
This is great news of all in a very long time. What the West wouldn't realise is that Asia has its own way of handling regional affairs, notwithstanding the pressures exerted by perpetrators of the very peace they preach; but yet fail to understand what to expect from other nations around the world. Sri Lanka is not alone in facing the wrath from those countries that have vested interest in developing nations of the world they exploit. This is indeed a very sad stretch, but Sri Lanka however shall pull through this period. Unfortunately though there are just few carrots and too many sticks out there. The UN cannot help much as it hasn't any teeth to effectively bite but always gives a lip service in favour of the underdogs whether they are right or wrong.
I'm really in awe of the Chinese strategic team, how well they executing their 'pearl strategy' (or whatever name its called) with respect to India. When a common man (like me) can acknowledge/appreciate their strategic foreign policy, it pains me if I wonder about what our strategic experts are doing? Are our strategic expers myopic or blinded? They surely dont need to read The Hindu to know/learn our strategic neighbour's (China's) moves. Why is it our strategic foreign policies arent robust enough to make deep impact on our neighbouring countries like Srilanka, Bangladesh, Nepal etc though we share a good cultural roots, we are well positioned to make significant and positive socio-economic impact on these countries. In my opinion, these very policies will be harmful for us/India in medium to long term. We should take leaf from epics/history's strategists from likes of mahabharata & chanakya's to build a robust foreign policies. We youth got huge challenge in time ahead.
The grip on the Indian Ocean would determine the supremacy in the world in new era. China is enveloping India from all directions. For instance, it has been launching novel projects in African countries, supporting Srilanka and Pakistan, spreading irridentism in North-eastern states in India. It is, therefore, a pressing need for our representatives to keep their eyes open to see the reality and do something before it is too late.
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