The Beijing Swift - By Prof. Samitha Hettige ©

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has more than 150 partners along the Silk Road. Some are rich and powerful some are not. A key feature of the BRI is win-win cooperation. It is the Chinese approach on partnerships. There are no competitors, all are winners. According to Buddhist teachings a good friend; is generous, is concerned about equality, treat the other with good words and will always ensure the development of the other (Ref. Sathara sangraha wasthu).  The Chinese socialist approach is similar to the Buddhist approach in that sense. Based on this approach a union for poverty relief and development among the BRI was initiated in Yunnan. This Alliance of Poverty Reduction and Development (APRD)is approved by the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) and is powered by 14 international scientific institutions and state organizations along the BRI. The main administration centre at Lincang city will facilitate partners to face common challenges and demands along the BRI to eradicate poverty and ignite development. APRD will increase cooperation in; scientific research, poverty relief and development related studies, and sharing of technical knowledge along the BRI (Ref Chinese sources).

Last week the new Chinese envoy in Colombo Qi Zhenhong presented his credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. At the ceremony the President has stressed the need to complete the mega projects such as the Port City before his term ends to generate income and create employment. He has also encouraged investment instead of loans. It indicates Sri Lanka’s strength to join the mega BRI as a strong active partner. In 1989 President Premadasa initiated the Janasaviya program to eradicate poverty. If properly managed the number of recipients should have reduced thus eradicating poverty long ago. Sri Lankans in general should try to understand the meaning of poverty eradication and how to do that at least now. During the Premadasa administration foreign envoys were received by the head of state while being seated on a replica of the golden seat of our last king. The original is still on display at the National Museum. That practice was discontinued by President Wijetunga who assumed office in 1993.

The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) as a practice would not invite prominent opposition personalities from any country to the PRC to maintain cordial ties between those countries. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa though wasn’t a politician during the previous administration was one very rare exception. He was invited as a visiting fellow to educate Chinese academics on development and security related issues. Later he was invited by the Singaporeans for a similar task during the previous administration. Those who don’t like to see Sri Lanka economically progress would see all our transactions with the PRC as one step towards colonization. If the sources of those allegations are analyzed, one will see a clear link to those who have actually colonized us from time to time during the past 2500 years. The founding father of Singapore once indirectly stated that he was grateful to the Sri Lankan socialist movement for helping Singapore to progress as a regional hub. Unfortunately he spoke and wrote in English. Him being an Ethnic Chinese, spoke in English when he met the Chinese leaders at the time Singapore officially recognized the PRC (established in 1949) in the 1990s. They trade with China and benefit. We also have the right to do that. We have been trading with China 2450 years before Singapore came into existence. It’s only a matter of continuation.

The writer is an Academic and a Broadcaster. Views expressed are personal and may not necessarily be the views of his affiliations.