Politics
22:42, 03-Jul-2018
China refutes so-called 'debt trap' over Sri Lanka's Hambantota port project
Updated
22:23, 06-Jul-2018
["china"]
Share
Copied
China and Sri Lanka are committed to pushing forward cooperation on the Hambantota port project and realizing the goal of making Sri Lanka the logistics center of the Indian Ocean, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday.
"This is not only conducive to the economic development of Sri Lanka, but also conducive to regional interconnection and the common prosperity of regional countries," spokesperson Lu Kang told a press briefing.
Lu made the remarks in response to US media reports stating that China's acquisition of the Hambantota port from Sri Lanka highlights its "debt trap" and ambitious use of loans to gain influence around the world.
Managing Director of China Merchants Port Holdings Dr Bai Jingtao (R) shakes hands with Secretary to the Ministry of Port L.P.Jayampathi (C) and Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake (L) after exchanging documents during the Hambantota International Port Concession Agreement at a signing ceremony in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 29, 2017. /VCG Pho
Managing Director of China Merchants Port Holdings Dr Bai Jingtao (R) shakes hands with Secretary to the Ministry of Port L.P.Jayampathi (C) and Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake (L) after exchanging documents during the Hambantota International Port Concession Agreement at a signing ceremony in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 29, 2017. /VCG Pho
Lu said such reports seriously distort the facts, and are either irresponsible or under the orders of people with ulterior motives, "We hope that the relevant media will not be keen on fake news."
The construction of the Hambantota port is the wish of successive governments and people of Sri Lanka, said Lu, adding that China encourages its companies to cooperate with the Sri Lankan side according to commercial principles and on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
"According to the needs of Sri Lanka, Chinese financial institutions have provided support to Sri Lanka in solving the financing gap. Later, the Chinese side made efforts to adjust relevant asset allocation according to the wishes of the Sri Lankan side," said Lu, noting that those arrangements will benefit the business cooperation between the two sides.
(Cover: February 10, 2015: a general view of the port facility at Hambantota. /VCG Photo )
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency