China confident that controversial Port City will go ahead

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The Chinese Government today expressed confidence that the controversial Port City project will go ahead following the review of the ongoing project currently underway by the Sri Lankan government.

A Deputy Director General of the Chinese Foreign Ministry told visiting Sri Lankan journalist in Beijing that they have fully advised companies undertaking projects to follow the laws of the country while carrying out its projects.

'We respect the government decision to review the project. Hope it will be handled in the proper manner safeguarding the interests of the investors as well' ,Huang Xilian currently the Deputy Director General heading the Asian Department for the ministry said.

Mr Xilian, said though the agenda for the meetings due to be held during the proposed visit of President Maithripala Sirisena were still being prepared the subject also is due to figure during the talks.

'Regardless the government changes, the relationship will remain the same. We hope both sides can further extend their co-operation', he said.

He said after the political change in January, the Chinese government had immediately got in touch with the Sri Lankan counterparts.

Meanwhile, a separate press release from the Chinese embassy in Colombo quoting spokesman Zhou Yongsheng said reports to the effect that the air space over the Port City will be held exclusively by China was not correct as this is a commercial agreement and part of the reclaimed land of Port City will be held by the Chinese company which invests in this project, not the Chinese government.

' The reclaimed land of Port City is part of Sri Lanka's territory and Sri Lanka has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the reclaimed land and the air space above it. Any individual or company's ownership right or right of use of land does not affect the sovereignty', the statement said.

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