Chinese Dream & “Splendid Pearl” – Part-II

By W. Vishnu Gupta –MAY 25, 2018

Undoubtedly at the outset it must be said from the experience and lessons learned before and after the departure of imperialists from Sri Lanka,  China has shown the characteristics of a genuine friend willing  to extend much needed financial support to develop Sri Lankan economy and bring prosperity to her people. China is the largest contributor of FDI in Sri Lanka. However, it appears that the politicians have not been forthright when dealing with China and it is questionable whether Sri Lankan operatives are capable of handling the massive inflow of FDI from China. When establishing international relationships, it appears that political leaders; both current and former regimes have been guided equally by personnel greed of corrupt politicians and senior officials. The people should not forget and forgive “Mr. Ten percent” of the former regime roaming the country with a grin from ear to ear easily. 

Ongoing power struggle shows that they are more interested in their own survival and preserving vested interests and political base. Hence, they always shoot from the hip; by conveniently introducing the interests of former imperialists, India, Japan, Singapore or other western country into the picture. Objectives of ECTA with India and FTA with Singapore are questionable especially when these agreements do not support any substantial or meaningful job creation in the country.  It is also an excuse to prolong the status quo that has been successfully carried out for the last 70 years by successive failed governments and allow politicians to become billionaires through get rich quick schemes.  

According to a statement released by the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka recently “that certain external forces are provoking unfounded speculation on joint mega-projects between Sri Lanka and China in order to disrupt the cooperation and create problems between the two countries in order to further their own interests”. Daily Mirror May 9th 2018.

Interestingly, the Ambassador has expressed these views to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. Being a businessman and astute politician Mr. Jayasuriya may have fully understood the underlying message and gravity of the point made by the Ambassador.

Furthermore according to the Ambassador  “Work on the Colombo Port City Project, the Hambantota Port as well as the economic corridors connecting Colombo to Hambantota and Kandy are progressing rapidly with our joint efforts,” 

As expected, they are projects that would enable our island nation to play a key role to ensure that Maritime Silk Road become a very successful mega project of this century affecting global trade and well being of millions of peoples. Irony is that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s political party UNP was the main perpetrator responsible for seeding poisonous and wrong messages about Chinese projects in Sri Lanka in order to win the elections in January and August 2015. Unfortunately, the Chinese leaders have to deal with these Machiavellian politicians in Sri Lanka. 

The motive behind China’s decision to conduct friendly and pragmatic cooperation with Sri Lanka is embedded in the overall strategy linked to the Maritime Silk Road. The problems lie within handful of Machiavellian political leaders in Sri Lanka.  

Why China is the best Development Partner for Sri Lanka?

Chinas’ foreign policy has been established on the cardinal principle of non interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This policy of “Non interference” is the cornerstone of China’s vibrant economy and it supported immensely to achieve its goal in the global market. In 2007, Chinese foreign ministry clearly stated and emphasized what really drives China’s foreign relationships and diplomatic philosophy with the following eight-point statement.  

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