China’s Belt and Road Initiative Helps to Promote Sri Lanka Economic Development: An Interview with Special Advisor to PM of Sri Lanka Mr.A Aala

JOURNALIST OF CWM



China’s Belt and Road Initiative Helps to Promote Sri Lanka Economic Development: An Interview with Special Advisor to PM of Sri Lanka Mr.A Aala

JOURNALIST OF CWM

Q: You have visited China for many times, and you wrote a book entitled A Beautiful Journey along the Silk Road, introducing China’s history and culture as well as current economic and social development.As an expert of China, you know that China is making enthusiastic efforts in promoting the “Belt and Road”, so as to seek deepened economic cooperation with countries along the it.How do you see the prospect of the “Belt and Road”initiative? In what areas do you think Sri Lanka could cooperate with China under the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative?

A: The “Belt and Road” initiative is a concept and an idea with distinct Chinese characteristics.Though some countries are sceptical about it, my personal view is that China wishes to develop even closer economic and trade relations with its neighbouring countries, and then build a business network connecting the entire world through this initiative.In general, China wishes that it could develop sincere partnerships with its neighbouring countries through the “Belt and Road” initiavie.However, for China, it is important to try to eliminate the suspicions of some countries before carrying out the initiative.

Today’s world changes very fast.In order to keep up with the times, Sri Lanka is also readjusting its policies according to the changing situation.Since adopting reform and opening up policy, China has scored remarkable economic and social achievements and created the socialist system, the socialist market economy and foreign strategy all with Chinese characteristics.We hope to borrow more Chinese experience in formulating our own national policy.

Sri Lanka and China have maintained very close contact since the ancient time.Following the Rubber-Rice Pact in signed 1952 and the official diplomatic relationship established in Febuary 1957, the two countries have consistently expanded and deepened cooperation in all fields.The western countries have had bigger say in both political and economic fields for many years.However, the situation is changing.I believe that Asia will be the most developed region with the biggest say in the world in one or two decades.Therefore, for a small country like Sri Lanka, we need to rethink about our position in the region and in the world.We would be marginalized if we fail to adapt to the changing situation.Sri Lanka will raise our own natioal development strategy along with the economic and social progress of the entire Asia.I am sure that China’s “Belt and Road” initiative will be helpful to Sri Lanka in carrying out its national development strategy.At the regional level, we focus first on peace and solidarity and then on development.We are ready to strengthen cooperation with China within the framework of the “Belt and Road” in both aspects.In specific, China is welcomed to strengthen its cooperation with Sri Lanka in many areas including economic development, industrial development, cultural exchange and scientific and technological innovation.

Q: China’s enterprises show very keen interest in expanding overseas market in the framework of the “Belt and Road”initiative.However, they also faced with some challenges and risks in the process of “going abroad”, such as the political and social changes in the target countries.A very striking example is that, in March this year, a port project in Colombo invested bya Chinese company was suspended.How does the new Government of Sri Lanka look upon the investment of Chinese enterprises ? In what way do you think the government could ensure the safety of the investment by Chinese enterprises in Sri Lanka to better meet the common interests of both sides?

A: The former Government of Sri Lanka did not fully follow the legal procedure and regulations when signing project agreements with foreign companies, and the new Government is reviewing those investment agreements for the time being.Not only Chinese enterprises but also other foreign companes are all faced with the reviewing.It is a result of the former Government’s corruption and abuse of power.If that Government had sign agreements with foreign companies completely according to law, no foreign-funded project would have been suspended.The new Government of Sri Lanka promised good governance to the people, so we have to discipline the government officials to prevent them in abusing powers when dealing with foreign companies.Just as what Chinese President Xi Jinping put it, we shall keep the power in the cage of regulations.The new Government has founded a department to deal with foreign-funded enterprises.We hope that through this new department we will further open our economy to foreign companies.Therefore, foreign investors don’t have to worry about the current situation.We welcome their investment in Sri Lanka as before, and we will do our best to provide them with an even healthier and sounder environment for investment.

Q : The parliament election in August this year produced the united national government with Mr.Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister.Quite a number of important political parties including the Liberal Party entered the cabinet.As special advisor to the Prime Minister, could you please give a briefing on the recent changes in Sri Lanka politics, as well as the foreign policies of the new Government? And how will you develop relations with all major powers?

A: In the past four or five decades, the two biggest parties in Sri Lanka, namely the United National Party and the Liberal Party have been struggling for ruling.Now the two parties are in historical cooperation by forming a united government, which is unprecedented in Sri Lanka politics.The people of Sri Lanka have very strong confident in the united government.They hope that this government will solve the problems and challenges faced by Sri Lanka, such as how to build good governance, how to combat corruption, how to speed up economic development and how to rebuild national solidarity.Our regime may lose stability if we fail to tackle those challenges.Therefore, the two major political parties decide to join hands in tackling those problems and challenges.

As for our foreign policy and our relations with all major powers, we persist in developing friendly relations with all countries in the world.We reject opposing any country by alliance.To give you an example, in as early as 1952, despite the objection of the western countries, Sri Lanka signed the Rubber-Rice Pact with China.And after that, our two countries established diplomatic relationship.The western countries as our friends at that time expressed their discontentment.Our answer to them was that China was also our friend.The current new Government of Sri Lanka will continue with our practice in the past to develop friendship with all friendly countries in the world.We believe that the new Government will also rebuild friendly relations with those countries not so close to us.Nowadays, the US, UK and some other European countries hold an attitude against Sri Lanka on some issues, while China and Russia support us on them.The new Government wishes, while maintaining friendly relaitons with China and Russia, to reestablish friendly relations with the US and European countries which are alien to us.For example, on the annual meeting of the US Human Rights Council, not only China and Russia supported Sri Lanka, but also the US and India did.

Q: At the invitation of CPC, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe have visited China for three times in the capacity of the leader of the United National Party.Your visit this time as the leader of the UNP cadre study group at the invitation of IDCPC composes an important exchange between the two ruling parties of China and Sri Lanka.How do you see the role played by party-to-party relations in promoting China-Sri Lanka exchange and cooperation ? What expectations and advices do you have for deepening the party-to-party exchange between our two countries ?

A: Party-to-party relationship is one of the significant channels of the state-to-state contacts between Sri Lanka and China, and also one of the important forces driving the stateto-state relations.The UNP and CPC have maintained a long-term friendly relationship, and particularly in recent years, our two Parties have had frequent exchanges of high-level delegation.I believe that the party-to-party exchanges between Sri Lanka and China are very helpful and effective.For example, during my last visit to China at IDCPC’s invitation, I attended a seminar on anti-corruption.When I was back to Sri Lanka, I submitted a report on anti-corruption combat to our Party, introducing CPC’s experiences in this field.Our Party attached great importance to that, and incorporate CPC’s anti-corruption experiences in our Party rules and regulations.Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also wishes to send anti-corruption officials to China for experience learning.All in all, we hope that the party-to-party exchanges will constantly help to promote the development of the stateto-state relations, so as to lay a sound foundation for an even closer relationship between the two countries.