The Longquan sword invented approx 2600 ago by master sword smith Ou Yezi is the most famous sword in China. Named after Longquan city in East China it is considered a symbolic step towards weapon development in Great China & the world. Master sword smith Ou Yezi has made three high quality valuable swords (Longquan, Tai’e, & Gongbu) at his home near the Qinxi mountain in Longquan. Ever since, the skill has passed through the generations playing a pivotal role in Chinese defense practices. Great China Navy was the world’s first blue navy by 1400s AD & The Peoples Liberation Army is the largest Army in the world at present. Longquan sword still enjoys the traditional supremacy as Chinese martial arts culture believes that swords are alive, have a soul & are like loyal friends which protect its master. Hence even Chinese scholars & poets have carried swords as symbolic cultural companions (Ref. Chinese history).

Though Chinese treat swords as cultural symbols, in the west it is believed that the tradition of shaking hands began as a gesture to indicate the other that one isn’t going to draw the sword. Despite the historic bond with swords in SL, the swords which went missing from the British built Colombo national museum few years back was a notable talking point. Some Sri Lankans not fluent in the British language refer to it as “Kaduwa” meaning “Sword”.

The Ukraine sword

Speaking fluently in the language of the British, the US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had recently mentioned in India that redoubling support for conflict affected Ukraine is the only way to aid the global economy along with boosting emerging economies & tackling debt distress. She has stated that ending the war in Ukraine is a moral imperative & it is also the single best thing US can do for the global economy. She has also warned that it was “premature” to talk of lifting tariffs on China (Ref Media). Sri Lankans should be thankful to Secretary Yellen for expecting Sri Lanka debt treatments to finalize soon.

Sri Lankans were in a 3 decade conflict & ultimately ended crossing swords at petrol stations & LP gas outlets due to their own faults. Yellen had mentioned their reluctance on lifting tariffs on China. She has not mentioned China or India giving weapons to Ukraine. At the same time she hasn’t criticized India for not criticizing Putin & Russia. Sri Lankans may analyze who fuelled the conflict in Ukraine & who didn’t. An impartial analysis may prove that western weapons given to Ukraine have not taken the global economy to a win-win outcome. Sri Lankans should use the English sword, Hindi & Chinese languages to go global with the Belt & Road.

Never give a sword to a man who cannot dance! Confucius

(Views expressed are personal)