China in Sri Lanka, News

China rejects speculation on Hambantota port project

17 Apr, 2018

China has rejected as pure speculation some claims made with regards to the Hambantota port project.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the Hambantota port project will benefit both countries.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said that Sri Lanka and China have a strong will to ensure the project is successful.

She was responding to a question raised on the?financing projects in the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and also claims that the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka may be used as a military base in the future.

With regard to the Belt and Road Initiative and its progress, Hua Chunying said that the Belt and Road Initiative is open and transparent and China hopes that relevant countries can follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits to advance it and deliver benefits to their people.

Regarding the Hambantota port project she said that was a cooperation project conducted by China and Sri Lanka on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

“It will contribute to local socio-economic development. Our two sides have the strong will to ensure the smooth progress of this project. I think that there is no need for certain people to make speculations from the military or other strategic perspectives,” she added. (Colombo Gazette)

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