Colombo, Jan 8: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to pay a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka from Saturday, which will be closely watched in India.
China and Sri Lanka are set to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Sino-Sri Lankan diplomatic relations during the visit.
The visit is being touted as a courtesy call of the Chinese Foreign Minister to inquire into a range of private sector investments across the island.
The visit also comes amid strain in ties between the two nations over a shipment of rejected Chinese fertiliser.
On Friday, the People’s Bank of Sri Lanka said it has paid USD 6.9 million to Chinese fertiliser firm Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co., Ltd, in damages against the cancellation of 20,000 tonnes of Chinese fertiliser.
The Chinese company and the Sri Lankan Government reached a settlement on the controversial Chinese Organic Fertilizer shipment, an issue that was threatening to spoil the bilateral relations.
Sri Lanka has also cancelled an order with a Chinese firm to install hybrid energy plants in three islands of Sri Lanka, located close to the Tamil Nadu coast. The Chinese embassy said the project was being called off due to “security concerns” from a “third party” – in a pointer at India.
Chinese firm Sino Soar Hybrid Technology had been awarded the contract to install a hybrid renewable energy system in Delft, Nagadeepa and Analthivu islands, off the coast of Jaffna.
Days after the project was called off, the Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong made a high profile visit to the Tamil-majority Northern Province on December 15 and 16 – marking Beijing’s foray into an area where India traditionally has a strong presence.
Qi visited the Nallur Kadaswamy temple attired in a white dhoti (called Vetti) and minus an upper garment and footwear – following the traditional practice – in an apparent attempt to appeal to the Tamils there.
He also visited the Jaffna Public Library – which was burnt down by anti-Tamil elements in 1981 and was restored with India’s help after the war. He donated laptops and books there.
The Chinese ambassador donated five ROI water purification mobile plants, to be located in five districts of the Northern Province.
