China says no need for speculations on Hambantota port project

Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated this week that both China and Sri Lanka have the strong will to ensure the smooth progress of the Chinese funded Hambantota port and the cooperation project will be on the basis of equality and mutual benefit contributing to local socio-economical development. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying who was addressing at the regular press briefing of the ministry noted that there is no need for certain people to make speculations from the military or other strategic perspectives whether the Hambantota port will be used as a military base by China in Sri Lanka. 

Responding to a question raised by a journalist saying that there are accusations against the financing projects in the framework of China's Belt and Road Initiative in Sri Lanka, spokesperson HUa Chunying said that the Belt and Road Initiative is open and transparent and China hope that relevant countries can follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits to advance it and deliver benefits to their people.

"With regard to the Belt and Road Initiative and its progress, we have talked about them on multiple occasions. As to the different views held by some people mentioned by you, I think that the conclusion may be different when people view the same thing with a different mindset and from a different perspective," she said.