Colombo: Amid growing concerns that China
is seeking to strengthen its naval presence in the Indian
Ocean, a top Chinese official said on Thursday that its projects in
Sri Lanka was only for "commercial purposes".
China is helping build the Hambantota strategic port
in southern Sri Lanka with an investment expected to touch USD
one billion over the next few years. The port is estimated to
accommodate as many as 33 ships by 2020, according to a
report.
"China is here to build a port only after both
countries decided on it. It is a commercial project and
nothing more," Zhang Xuehia, the Political Officer at the
Chinese High Commission in Colombo, was quoted as saying by
the Daily Mirror online today.
Strategic analysts in South Asia, including India,
have raised concerns over China?s naval presence in Sri Lanka,
amid fears that Beijing was seeking to increase its build up
in the the Indian Ocean in a bid to encircle India.
"Countries such as India had raised continuous
concerns over China?s presence in Sri Lanka and fear that
Beijing, with the help of countries such as Pakistan and Sri
Lanka, plans to encircle its influence in the Indian Ocean,"
the Sri Lankan news website said.
When questioned about India’s concerns over China’s
presence in Sri Lanka, Zhang refused to comment.
It may be recalled that the total Chinese investment
in the Hambantota Port project is expected to touch one
billion dollars in value terms over the next few years.
After the likely completion of the first phase of
the port by the end of this year, as many as three big ships
could dock here.
Hambantota is the home district of Sri Lankan
President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
China has bagged the largest chunk of post-war
development projects in Sri Lanka’s North and South estimated
at more than USD 6.1 billion, according to a media report.
China has assured full assistance in development
projects. China has pledged USD 350 million as post war
financial assistance to develop Sri Lanka`s infrastructure,
including a key facility of the strategic Hambantota Port.
The projects included Hambantota Bunkering facility
which is a major component of the Hambantota Port Development
Project, largely funded with Chinese assistance.
PTI
