Sino-Lanka ties growing steadily

Golden Jubilee of diplomatic ties today:

Sri Lanka considers China to be a close ally and a true friend. The relations between the two countries date back to the Fifth century. Official diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka were established on February 7, 1957 under the leadership of late S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike.

Thus, 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the friendly diplomatic relations between the two nations. This year is also designated by both Governments as the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Year.

China pledged a large development assistance block at the recently concluded Galle donor conference. In view of the Golden Jubilee, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit China and meet Chinese President Hu Jintao later this month. He is expected to sign several bilateral agreements important to both countries in the sphere of economic development.

To mark this monumental event the Daily News Deputy News Editor Manjula Fernando interviewed the recently appointed Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ye Dabo. He speaks on the significance of China Sri Lanka relations.

Q: Sri Lanka and China, though they established diplomatic relations 50 years ago, have had cultural and religious links for thousands of years. How has this solid foundation helped both countries in the sphere of diplomatic relations ?

A: Historically China and Sri Lanka have enjoyed traditional friendship and cooperation. The common religious and cultural exchanges as well as trade ties between the two nations can be traced back to many centuries.

China and Sri Lanka have shared commonalities in Buddhism. Recorded evidence shows that in the 5th century the Chinese scholar monk Fa Xian spent two years in a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka studying Buddhist scriptures. Then he introduced them to the Chinese people through a book titled 'Travels to a Buddhist Country'.

About 600 years ago, famous Chinese navigator Zheng travelled to Sri Lanka on at least five occasions. On most of these voyages, economic and cultural linkages have been the most important.

Shortly after Sri Lanka secured her own independence and the People's Republic of China was founded, the two countries signed the Rubber-Rice Pact in 1952, ignoring the sanctions of some Western countries against China. This laid the foundation for a solid trade relationship between the two nations.

It should also be noted that some sections of the World Community were still on unfriendly terms with China when Sri Lanka forged diplomatic relations in 1957 under the leadership of the late premier S.W.R.D Bandaranaike.

China is also grateful to Sri Lanka for being co-sponsors for the relevant UN resolution to restore China's legitimate seat in the UN. It remains afresh in people's memory that late Chinese Premier Zho Enlai delivered a speech in the rain at Sri Lanka's 9th Independence anniversary celebrations at Independence Square (1957).

The relationship has been exceptionally rewarding and mutually beneficial to both countries. The two sides have increasingly enhanced mutual political trust, deepened cooperation in economy and trade and strengthened coordination in international affairs.

We have enjoyed a long term friendship and the bilateral relations have been developing smoothly and steadily.

Q: What are the significant milestones in the diplomatic relations between the two countries over the years ?

A: In recent years, the bilateral relations have entered a new period of all round development. The leaders of China and Sri lanka have been regularly visiting each other.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited China in 1961, the first visit by a Sri Lankan leader. Since then the Sri Lankan leaders have paid state visits to China on a regular basis.

This year President Mahinda Rajapaksa will pay a state visit to China and meet Chinese President Hu Jintao. The forthcoming visit will become another important milestone in our bilateral relations.

He is also expected to introduce the Sri Lankan investment climate to potential Chinese investors during this particularly business oriented visit. Several agreements or MoUs, which will help boost economic development of both countries are to be signed during this visit. They will be in the spheres of Economy, Trade, Culture and Education.

We have a very bright future in bilateral relations. Our relationship is based on respect for each other. There is non- aggression and non-mutual interference. China-Sri Lanka ties can be described as a very good example for relations between countries.

Q: A lot of Chinese tourists already come to Sri Lanka. However, only a fraction of that number go to China from Sri Lanka. How do you plan to improve tourism and people-to-people contact between the two nations ?

A: More and More Chinese tourists come to Sri Lanka now than ever before. The commencement of direct flights between Beijing and Colombo has also been a blessing.

As everyone may remember, in November 2002 Sri Lanka and China signed an agreement on Accredited Destination Status which was focused on various avenues to increase the inflow of tourists from China.

Since then a steady rise in the number of Chinese travellers to Sri Lanka has been noted. In 2006 more than 16,000 Chinese tourists visited Sri Lanka.

China has provided favourable terms for the inauguration of direct air links between Beijing and Colombo. The expansion in these services and code sharing with Chinese carriers to domestic points, as well as Chinese airlines commencing operations to Sri Lanka would be favourably discussed by the relevant agencies in the near future.

Both the Chinese and Sri Lankan Governments will continue to encourage bilateral tourist traffic in the years ahead.

The two sides have already agreed on establishing a Sri Lankan consulate in Shanghai to increase people-to-people contact and expand cooperation via diplomatic channels.

The establishment of a Confucius Institute in Sri Lanka is also on the drawing board. The Institute will serve as a bridge between the two cultures.

Q: China is assisting several large-scale development projects in Sri Lanka. What are China's plans to enhance development assistance to Sri Lanka ?

A: Up to now China has implemented more than 20 complete projects in Sri Lanka through various forms of assistance. The BMICH, funded and built by the Chinese Government is among one of the major projects. It is a symbol of friendship between the two countries.

The Chinese Government has decided to renovate and refurbish it to make it more magnificent and meaningful.

Among landmark Chinese-funded projects are the Supreme court complex built in 1988, Gin ganga flood protection project, Nilabe Hydro Power station, Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital and the Puttalam Water Supply project.

China was actively involved in the post-tsunami reconstruction activities in Sri Lanka. Several fisheries harbours devastated by the tsunami were restored with Chinese assistance.

This year will witness a number of Chinese projects mutually agreed upon by the two Governments. This includes the construction of flyover at Nugegoda, signalised intersection at Welikada and the National Performing Arts Theatre.

Chief among these is the Puttalam coal power plant with 300 MW generating capacity at the initial phase and 900 MW when completed after the remaining two stages.

The Hambantota Port project will be a top priority for both sides to discuss in the future.

Q: The international community is seeking a political settlement to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. In what way is China helping these efforts ?

A: China has been a very good friend of Sri Lanka. I think the Chinese Government has all along supported the Sri Lankan Government in its endeavour to safeguard State sovereignty and territorial integrity.

To realise its national unity and to achieve national reconciliation and also to develop the national economy, my Government will continue to support the Government of Sri Lanka in its efforts to find a political resolution to the conflict through peace building process. We like to see Sri Lanka become very prosperous and peaceful.

Q: Sri Lanka has been following a strict one China policy. But Sri Lanka does a lot of trade with Taiwan. What is China's policy in this regard ?

A: It is highly appreciated by the Chinese government that the Sri Lankan Government has been resolutely supporting China's grant cause of national reunification. Sri Lanka has always stated that there is but one China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

This is the cornerstone of our bilateral ties. We have no objections to plain trade relations between Sri Lanka and the Taiwan province of China at people-to-people level.

The position of our Government has been very consistent. We would never allow any action or manoeuvre towards Taiwan's independence. Any official contact between Government authorities will be strongly opposed.

Q: China received observer status in the SAARC recently. What are your intentions ? A: For China it is important to maintain good relations with its neighbours. This is the first time China has been invited to attend regular meetings of SAARC. China is very pleased. Relations between the countries in the region are in great shape.

We would like to establish long term and good neighbourly relations with all South Asian nations. China will work with Sri Lanka, India as well as other nations to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability and in promoting development in the region as well as the world.

Q: China today has the world's fastest growing economy. Do you see any lessons for countries like Sri Lanka in the way that China has handled its economy ?

A: Over the past decades, China has maintained rapid economic development. Just as one of the local newspapers in Sri Lanka has described, China's own economic performance has been dazzling.

China's remarkable economic growth rate during the last decade has propelled it to the ranks of fastest growing economy in the world. In 2006, China's GDP reached US $ 2.7 trillion, with a growth rate of 10.7 per cent over the previous year.

The total import and export volume registered US $ 1.76 trillion, making China the third largest trading country in the world. Its foreign exchange reserves exceed US $ 1 trillion, now the largest in the world. China's contribution to the world economic growth is around 10 per cent.

Nevertheless there is much more to be achieved. Given the size of its population, the favourable achievements always need to be divided by 1.3 billion people, while negative aspects should be multiplied by 1.3 billion. In this context China is still a developing country.

Although China leads many countries in terms of overall economic strength, in terms of per capita GDP it ranks 100th in the world. Therefore, China will by no means rest on its laurels. In fact, China is confronted with many challenges in its development process.

For instance, there is a serious development imbalance between urban and rural areas. For many years to come development will remain a top priority for China. China has embarked on a sound path of peaceful development. China will pursue development through peaceful cooperation and endeavour to maintain world peace. To meet our own development goals, we need time, we need peace and we need friends.

At the same time China has not forgotten her obligations to the developing world. It maintains a healthy level of Official Development Assistance in different forms of grants and loans. In particular China has continued assistance to Sri Lanka over a long period.

Q: What is your message to the Sri Lankan people on this momentous occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties ?

A: Sri Lanka, though facing many challenges and complexities, has sustained an economic growth in excess of 7 per cent during 2006. It is encouraging to note that unemployment has declined and poverty reduced, while exports have grown and income from tourism increased.

I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to the Sri Lankan Government and people on their remarkable achievements. I wish prosperity to Sri Lanka and well-being to her people. I would like to take this opportunity to extend the highest considerations and best wishes to the Sri Lankan Government and its people.