Chinese military will not be permitted at Hambantota port, says Sri Lankan ambassador

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

Chinese military activity will not be allowed at the Hambantota port considering concerns from India, Sri Lankan ambassador in Beijing said on Saturday, playing down protests by hundreds of opposition supporters over handing of 80 per cent stakes of the strategic port to a Chinese firm.

Watch what else is making news:

Apparently referring to Pakistan handing over Gwadar port to Chinese, Ambassador Karunasena Kodituwakku told the media on the sidelines of Sri Lankan Independence Day reception in Beijing that: “I do not know about other countries but Sri Lanka has very categorically informed the (Chinese) investor that it will not be allowed to be used for any military purposes”.

Playing down protests by locals and labour unions over handing of 80 per cent stakes of the Hambantota port to a Chinese firm, the envoy said that considering India’s concerns, no military activity will be allowed at the port. The Maithripala Sirisena government which earlier opposed the Chinese investments procured by pro-China predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa faced public protests over handing over 15,000 acres of land for a Chinese industrial park in Hambantota as well as the port. Ironically Rajapaksa who procured about $7 billion for Hambantota and other projects opposed the handing over of the port and land to Chinese.

Admitting concerns expressed by China over the protests, the Ambassador said: “Despite the opposition from a small group, the government will go ahead”. The Sri Lankan government said the port was being handed over with 80 per cent stake for a Chinese firm on 99 year lease as it has no commercial viability and duty bound to pay back the huge Chinese loans.

The Ambassador said Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe would attend the high-profile One Belt One Road (Silk Road) summit called by Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. Chinese officials said 20 world leaders confirmed their attendance but did not provide details. Wickramasinghe’s presence at the Silk Road summit as China regards Sri Lanka as an important base for its 21st Maritime Silk Road in the Indian ocean over which India has expressed strong reservations.

http://indianexpress.com/article/wo...tota-port-says-sri-lankan-ambassador-4508312/

 

[wiseone2]

I wonder how you enforce it

 

[TOSSIT]

I wonder how you enforce it

By not providing berth and fuel.

The chinese are not happy about this deceleration

 

[wiseone2]

By not providing berth and fuel.

The chinese are not happy about this deceleration

if the port is owned by China it makes it tricky

 

[Godman]

I wonder how you enforce it

if the port is owned by China it makes it tricky

First its a lease and second ownership is irrelevant as the state puts the laws

By not providing berth and fuel.

The chinese are not happy about this deceleration

Chinese or any other foreign naval ship cannot use the ports without permission @supun1
And I also doubt Chinese have an issue with this

 

[Mrc]

no worries... they are more than welcome to use gwadar

 

[wiseone2]

First its a lease and second ownership is irrelevant as the state puts the laws



Chinese or any other foreign naval ship cannot use the ports without permission @supun1
And I also doubt Chinese have an issue with this

sri lankan laws are fine

 

[supun1]

if the port is owned by China it makes it tricky

Can I run a drug lab on my own land in Canada? Surely Canada have no say on what I do on my own land.

Besides next government will likely just reverse this decision, I suspect that this was to push the ETCA through, as India is playing hardball.

And they can dock at Colombo.

 

[wiseone2]

Can I run a drug lab on my own land in Canada? Surely Canada have no say on what I do on my own land.

Besides next government will likely just reverse this decision, I suspect that this was to push the ETCA through, as India is playing hardball.

And they can dock at Colombo.

what about civilian ship carrying supplies for Chinese navy ? or ships carrying weapons for Pakistan

 

[RudraMudra]

Chinese or any other foreign naval ship cannot use the ports without permission @supun1
And I also doubt Chinese have an issue with this

The state owned Global Times has protested Sri Lankan clarifications. This is what they said,

"Sri Lanka’s promise is unnecessary because the port is meant for civilian use. It shows that India is interfering in Sri Lanka’s affairs,” "

if the port is owned by China it makes it tricky

That is just pain silly. China cannot "own" any port in Sri Lanka. At best a chinese company can lease land and RUN the ports operation. Possibly using chinese employees and slave labour working hours and work ethics as they have done in other nations.

 

[Jugger]

Good decision by the Sri lankans, keep the Chinese at arms length.

 

[supun1]

That is just pain silly. China cannot "own" any port in Sri Lanka. At best a chinese company can lease land and RUN the ports operation. Possibly using chinese employees and slave labour working hours and work ethics as they have done in other nations.

A foreign company or corporate body operating in Sri Lanka, the department of labor is likely to watch it like a hawk.

 

[RudraMudra]

A foreign company or corporate body operating in Sri Lanka, the department of labor is likely to watch it like a hawk.

The company will not doubt operating within the permissible stretches of the law.

Just don't expect them to win any employer of the year award. But that they will use Chinese employees is certain.

 

[supun1]

The company will not doubt operating within the permissible stretches of the law.

Just don't expect them to win any employer of the year award. But that they will use Chinese employees is certain.

I still think this move is simply to get the upper hand in pushing the ETCA through with India.