China seeks to achieve its goal to establish new military bases in the South Pacific, by secretly expanding its military influence from southern China through the South Asian island nation of Sri Lanka to the Horn of Africa and Hormuz. For China, pushing for a Chinese base in Kiribati is purely economic in Sri Lanka by taking advantage of the combination of diplomacy, elite capture, and strategic investments in the host country of the military base, similar to the Chinese base in Djibouti in 2017. With new military bases, China is trying to project the power of the People’s Liberation Army beyond the tense Taiwan Strait through Sri Lanka.
In an interview with A24, Dr. Eran Wickramaratne – Former State Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament of Sri Lanka said that, “Our foreign policy is to upgrade the standard of living and to safeguard the freedom of the country, which we obtained after 5oo years of colonization. We have come to know that countries such as England, have navigated their career fleets through our Indian Ocean to the Philippines. Other countries such as the United States of America, Squad countries, Japan, South Korea, other Squad countries, and recently News Zealand have jointly conducted their Naval Joint Military Exercises. We need to safeguard and maintain a cordial relationship with those countries, specifically those countries in which we have friendly bilateral trade establishments. Especially, Europe and the USA where we have export ties.”
“Currently, Sri Lanka has been ruled by a hereditary dictatorship. And all decisions are made by the ruling family. I do not think the Sri Lankans will endure this mechanism any longer as already they have toppled such form of regime earlier and might consider doing the same. This is a democratic country, any government should cater to the need of the masses. We will follow a non-alignment policy and strengthening and developing bilateral ties with India and China if we are elected. And also, since, all our exports are sent to Europe and the United States, therefore, we will take measures to reestablish and strengthen our trade relationship with all the states.”
In an interview with A24, Mr. Yasiru Ranaraja – Director Belt & Road Initiative Sri Lanka (BRISL) said that, “Sri Lanka might face Land Reclamation sanctions on the grounds of Land Reclamation as per the UN Law of the Sea. Even in China lands has been subjected to land reclamation inclusive of Chinese governments by the CCC Cooperation (China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. – CCC) owned by the Chinese government and the same Company has undertaken the land reclamation process in the Sri Lankan Port City & as well as Hambantota Harbor. Due to this fact, the Project Company might be subjected to some pressure. Since Port city, Sri Lanka is being commissioned and developed to bring down foreign Investors, thus, I do not think that it might become an issue. Any profit or loss is only yielded by the subjected parties of China and Sri Lanka.”
“A new Zone has been termed as Indo-Pacific zone (Ocean) by the West. As per the Chinese Government’s decision, a Military Expansion has been taken place in the South China Sea. That is to safeguard their sovereignty and safeguard their territory belts, even a country like Sri Lanka could discuss according to International Laws and expand its Sea belt. When we take the Mediterranean Sea there have been vast complications in its standard limits in the boundaries between states. As per the United Nations Law of the Sea, the law amends according to the states.”
“Currently, Sri Lanka has been ruled by a hereditary dictatorship. And all decisions are made by the ruling family. I do not think the Sri Lankans will endure this mechanism any longer as already they have toppled such form of regime earlier and might consider doing the same. This is a democratic country, any government should cater to the need of the masses. We will follow a non-alignment policy and strengthening and developing bilateral ties with India and China if we are elected. And also, since, all our exports are sent to Europe and the United States, therefore, we will take measures to reestablish and strengthen our trade relationship with all the states.”
“There is another controversial issue with China where they currently they have agreed with the government of Kiribati Island to initiate bilateral ties through the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). Although it is not stated for Military purposes, it does not limit only to commercial advantages, but also could be for military expansionism. Since, International Law states, any two states could agree to facilitate each other in this context. China has signed an agreement to build an Airstrip in Kiribati, but both the government has not declared that the Airstrip is for Military Purposes, but to get down tourists to boost the tourism sector in Kiribati and to get down Chinese people. Earlier, United States had established a Military base in Kiribati during World War – II.”
Source: A24 News Agency