China has assured that the power projects in the North of Sri Lanka granted to a Chinese firm were purely a commercial activity undertaken through an open international bidding process.
The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka issued the statement in response to concerns raised by India over China’s involvement in the power projects.
The cabinet recently approved a proposal to award the contract to a Chinese company to execute three renewable energy projects in the islands off Jaffna. India thereafter raised concerns on the approval on the basis that it posed a security threat to India.
According to the Daily Mirror, responding to the concerns, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka clarified that the Chinese firm that secured the projects was a private entity.
“It is in accordance with the international bidding procedures. As far as China is concerned, the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, no matter from any country, should be protected, as long as the cooperation is on Sri Lankan territory, abiding by Sri Lankan laws and international rules, and being approved by the Sri Lankan Government. Only by doing this could the government ensure the confidence of foreign investors and the continuous development of its own country,” the Chinese Embassy said in its statement.
The Embassy further clarified that the project was an open bid funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
It added that Sri Lanka as a sovereign state has the right to choose the most suitable contractor for its biggest interest. (NewsWire)
India lodges strong protest as China gets northern power projects in SL