Cordial relations between China and Sri Lanka
By Sarath WIJESINGHE
China and Sri Lanka were related, connected and bonded together for
thousands of years. Monk Fahian's visit and the Buddhism with Asian way
of life connected China and Sri Lanka uninterrupted and undisturbed.
Even when China was in isolation, Sri Lanka always offered her
friendships and solidarity. The Sri Lanka- China Rubber Pact initiated
by R.G. Senanayake and the other economic bonds have shown that the two
countries are economically and politically bonded for a long period.
China became a world power on its own merit and in the Security Council
she is one of the five powerful members. In every turn China Protected
Sri Lanka genuinely and vehemently.
Today China reaches second place in the world having overtaken Japan
and becoming the world's second largest economy behind the United
States. China's economy is expected overtake to US economy in 2030. As
things go they need not wait so long. Sri Lanka has the target to be the
Wonder of Asia in five years. As things go, it is possible that Sri
Lanka will reach the goal in two to three years as currently the economy
is stable, tourism is booming, poverty is declining and the growth rate
is 7%.
China has roughly the same landmass as the United States, but it is
burdened with a fifth of the world's population and insufficient
resources. As things go China is going to bypass all obstructions. The
European Union is struggling to grow in the wake of the worst economic
crisis in decade.
However China has continually climbed on the economic lead tables by
investing heavily in infrastructure and backing a 586 million stimulus
plan. At the moment Sri Lanka has two advantages. One is a durable and
lasting peace; the other is an unprecedented degree of political
stability.
The Government in power is enjoying almost two thirds support in the
Parliament this year when Sri Lanka expects largest number of tourists
ever on record in Sri Lanka.
There is no iota of terrorist activities for the last one year and
the Government in power is the most strongest and powerful in Asia, so
much so there is political stability predicted for the next 500 years.
Prof. G.L.Peiris' visit
Recently Prof. G.L. Peiris, the Minister of Foreign Affairs made an
important visit to China and the speech he made at the Chinese Institute
of International Studies is unprecedented. He was elected a
distinguished fellow of the Institute and the contents of the speech was
assimilated and digested by the peoples by cementing the age old bond
between the two countries. The essence of his speech was based on the
achievements of defeating terrorism in Sri Lanka as a result of the
correct political leadership, the vision of His Excellency Mahinda
Rajapaksa and also the competence, determination and the discipline of
the armed forces and the main strategies of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, His
Excellency's brother who led and spearheaded the humanitarian operation.
The Foreign Minister is the one who represents the country and the
leader of the Nation. Generally it is held by the leader, the Prime
Minister or the most trusted Minister. Minister Peiris is trusted,
respected, dedicated and reliable. What he has achieved during his short
stay in China is enormous.
He spoke from China to the international community on Sri Lanka on
the economic and political structure and the future strategies. He
reiterated the international community has duties obligations within
certain limitations. International community or part of the community
has a right to criticize and advice the colleagues, but they have no
right to insist countries especially aiming to develop - if you do not
do this we will take away great concessions from you. We will cut off
access for your communities from the markets of the developed world.
Developed world should understand that they are developed today out of
the sweat of the rest of the world without which they cannot exit.
It is the basic international law that countries are sovereign
irrespective of their population and small countries have a self-respect
and they must be respected as equal and senior members of the world
family.
In the world family China is magnanimous, friendly and not as selfish
as other powerful nations. Other powerful nations should follow the
example of China for friendship magnanimity and to be good friends.
Combat of terrorism
Professor Peiris has extensively discussed on terrorism and to what
extent the Nation has gone through the effects of terrorism for three
decades. He said that no single country can combat terrorism alone.
There should be both regional and global strategies to deal with
terrorism. This is absolutely correct. When small Sri Lanka disproving
the myth that terrorism could not be crushed militarily eradicated
terrorism completely when powerful and strong countries are struggling
in Iraq and Afghanistan by involving into unwanted and unwindable wars.
This shows that terrorism cannot be won in isolation and quite correctly
Prof. Peiris said that China means a great deal to us and terrorism
cannot be combated in isolation. It has to be done in association with
other countries. Sri Lanka has been fortunate in finding friends who
have always stood by us.
Non-Aligned policies
We state with great affection and gratitude that China, India SAARC
countries, African countries, Middle East and Latin American countries
wholeheartedly supported Sri Lanka to come out of the rubble and the
threat of terrorism. Prof. Peiris' mission to China has been fully
fulfilled and accomplished. China gave us BMICH, china gave us
Hambantota Harbour which has a potential to cater 36,000 ships sailing
on the silk route per year. China is one of the main trade partners and
major donors and investors to Sri Lanka with no hidden agendas or
ulterior motives. China and India equally believe Sri Lanka when Madam
Bandaranaike in 1960's acted as the peace maker to avoid confrontation
on a border issue. It is noteworthy to note that Sri Lanka is one of the
main pioneers of the Non-Aligned Movement which practices policy of
Non-Alignment to the last word. President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his
policy document reiterated his commitments for Non-Aligned Movement and
Non-Aligned Policy. He chaired SAARC which spreads over one fourth of
the globe and currently G-20 by heading very powerful industrial nations
as a fearless respected unshaken emerging world leader famous to be down
to earth and outspoken. Minister Peiris has to the utmost satisfaction
of President Rajapaksa fulfilled his obligation in the capacity of the
Foreign Minister for which the entire nation is grateful for and the
Nation as a whole will vote for him indicating their confidence on him
and the Government at this transition era of the emerging wonder of
Asia.
The writer is LL.M (London), Solicitor-Attorney-at-Law, is Sri
Lanka's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. |