Sri Lanka – China strengthens military ties
Sri Lankan delegationled by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa met the Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie on Sunday (11) in Beijing. At this meeting China and Sri Lanka strengthened their defence relations by pledging to boost relations between the two countries and their militaries.
Rajapaksa is in China to attned the 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition to be held in the southern city of Zhuhai where China is exhibiting its defence equipment including its new attack helicopter and fighter jets.
Liang who visited Sri Lanka in September this year was the first Chinese Defence Minister to visit Sri Lanka.
Later, top Chinese Communist Party leader, Wu Bingguo visited the island during which 16 agreements had been signed focusing on infrastructure development in Sri Lanka including USD 760 million aid to help the island nation to become “Asia’s miracle”.
Source: Government News Portal
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This is a strong message to those who are attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of our land. There are many who are shedding crocodile tears on behalf of tamil speaking Sri Lankan citizens. It is the Rajapaksa family that had the courage to safeguard the tamil speaking citizens from the clutches of a megolomaniac. There are no racila divisions in our country; all people are Sri Lankan citizens. There is no labelling of citizens on the basis of religion or language; all are equal; they can live, work and own land wherever they wish. China understands this concept which forms part of Mahinda Chinthana; they will stand firmly behind us protecting every citizen from western and sub continental powers. The Rajapaksa familiy will rule Sri Lanka for more than ten decades. They will create a monolithic society. Our economy will be the miracle of Asia. The sinhala buddhists will be a prosperous community in the world.
I am glad the Rajapksa brothers are taking SL in the right direction. It is important to strengthen our defence ties with China and also procure conventional weapons. Let this message go home to India, who I consider our enemy, and also to the imperial West. China will help SL develop on fast-track on the Chinese model. India and imperial West arer neo-colonialists who are exploiting SL at terrible cost to us. We must seek Chinese assistance to develop our offshore gas and oil potential
Well said Anthony, you are a champion.
President Rajapaksa and his brothers are certainly driving Sri Lanka in the right direction.
We should tie our defence and socio-economic future to China who are easy to deal with and do not have any hidden agendas.
Nicholas got it wrong in saying we should follow the chinese model. No, Mahinda Chinthana does not say so. We will develop on our own model. The Chinese have no impositions anyway; they do not dictate terms to others. We will develop Sri Lanka in the Sinhala Buddhist way.
Wadi wadi.ayidda welam sata pattam,amma soru
Yes, That is very good. Time to put the non-align clown to the bin and to follow Israel’s example. Non-align is not a mantra that will keep the big sharks like India, EU, US away. So far China has never betrayed us. Also, we have a duty to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who helped us in our darkest hour, when they need us.
It is definitely a good move especially when other super powers are trying to threaten us with their sanctions.China with their veto power will be a good blanket cover when need arises.Rajapaksas are doing fruitful developments for the entire nation.Let us not at least oppose such moves.
Mudalige should not say ‘develop SL in Sinhala Buddhist way’. This is an extremist position akin to Muslim extremism of Taleban and Alqaeda who seek to convert the whole world to Islam at the point of a sword, as done in the time of Middle Ages by the Catholic Conqistadors. We should respect all religions in SL and grant freedom of faith and expression as China has done. China is the star of Asia we should hang on to and shine brightly ourselves as the Star of SE Asia.
To my knowledge, strengthening military ties with China would increase the unrest and friendship with India our neighbor. Therefore, we should be neutral in this regard.