The Sri Lankan premier visits China: a timely rapprochement
- By Tim Collard
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 8, 2016
Sri Lanka has, of course, come under a certain amount of pressure from India, who is worried about an increase in Chinese influence on the island nation just off India's south-east coast, and that influence was perceptible in the new government's initial decision to block the port city project. But there is no reason to believe that the Sino-Sri Lankan project is directed against India or any other country. Sri Lanka's geographical situation has always rendered the island a key stepping stone in China's Maritime Silk Road project. The new port city's position on the Indian Ocean sits close to the shipping lanes through which much of the world's trade passes on its way to East Asia, and is ideal for the extension of trading infrastructure further west to southern Europe and Africa.
There is another factor in China's keenness to revive close relations with Sri Lanka. Although China has always preserved good contacts in the South Asian region, despite the lingering suspicions between China and India, there are security concerns over the "Belt and Road" initiative.
China-Pakistan relations have always been warm and strong. Their official designation is as an "all-weather friendship and an iron brotherhood," and the two countries have no political disputes. One element of the "Belt and Road" initiative is the establishment of a US$46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC). This is scheduled to be in place by 2025, and will address the hitherto disappointing levels of trade and investment; China ranks only 16th among all direct investors in Pakistan. But both sides are now openly addressing the dangers to this program owing to the internal security situation in Pakistan. This week, China's Global Times has opined, "Currently, the China-funded constructions in Pakistan cannot serve as a strong foothold for China, given the calamitous state of Pakistan's security." The Pakistani government is fully committed to a bilateral political and economic relationship with China, but there are doubts as to whether this can really be delivered. Whereas Sri Lanka may be a better bet. "Sri Lanka can be of great importance for China in the strategic security environment in the Indian Ocean, providing security assurances for nearby navigation channels," revealed the same article.
And so it would seem that Prime Minister Wickremasinghe's visit to China comes at an ideal time, providing a perfect synergy between the short and longterm needs of the two countries. It is always beneficial to the world to see suspicions dispelled and both bilateral and international relations grounded on a solid foundation of economic cooperation and mutual interest. The practical results of the two leaders' discussions will be a demonstration of the genuine prospects for the Maritime Silk Road scheme.
Tim Collard is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/timcollard.htm
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