Sri Lanka slammed China’s ambassador yesterday for criticising Colombo’s attitude to aid in the local media, as the island nation distances itself from its once-close ally and economic lifeline.
Colombo took exception to ambassador Yi Xianliang’s comments at a press conference last week, where he said his host nation should stop criticising “expensive” loans granted by Beijing for infrastructure.
The new government, which came to power in January last year, has been trying to renegotiate the terms of its $8bn Chinese debt - a hangover of the former regime’s heavy reliance on Beijing.
“I note some media, even some ministers, say expensive loans (were given) from China. No, this is really unfair for (the) Chinese government,” Yi said, according to a video of the press conference posted on social media.
“Sri Lanka people and the government should have some attitude in thanks giving,” he added, apparently suggesting Colombo should be grateful for Beijing’s economic largesse.
Sri Lankan foreign secretary Esala Weerakoon telephoned ambassador Yi on Monday to express Colombo’s displeasure.
“It was explained to the ambassador... that it is not necessary for the ambassador to communicate his concerns through the media,” the ministry said in a statement.
Former president Mahinda Rajapakse relied heavily on China to build ports, highways and railways as Western nations shunned him over his dismal human rights record.
But President Maithripala Sirisena’s government suspended all Chinese-funded infrastructure projects shortly after taking power, accusing the previous regime of corruption.
Colombo secured a $1.5bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund in June after facing a balance of payments crisis. It has also negotiated cheaper funding
from international lenders.
In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry defended its envoy’s comments, saying he had only “clarified some misunderstandings and misleading remarks” on bilateral
co-operation, a media report said.
“The Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka exchanged views with friends from the media on China-Sri Lanka relations and the status quo of bilateral cooperation and clarified some misunderstandings and misleading remarks regarding China-Sri Lanka cooperation at a seminar,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.
“The candid exchange of views on relevant cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is conducive to the sound development of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation as they are good friends that trust and help each other,” Kang told Press Trust of India in a written response.
Responding to the questions raised by the media last week, Yi had insisted that China has no hidden agenda in Sri Lanka.
But Yi had warned that Sri Lanka may lose foreign direct investments if it fails to
maintain a consistent policy.
“We give loans to developing countries like Sri Lanka at 2% interest, and not 5 like most other countries,” he had said.
“If you don’t like this one, why you come again, to talk with me about another one,” Yi had told reporters, referring to criticism from Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake who said Chinese loans carried higher interest rates.
Yi had also criticised the slow progress of Chinese-funded projects and refuted allegations that Chinese firms offered bribes for any project. “The Chinese do not get involved in local politics and will work with the government in power.”