Asia should prevent world from becoming an arena for geopolitical fighting: China

China’s top legislator Zhao Leji said that Asia has endured both “hot and cold” wars and they should prevent the world from becoming an arena for “geopolitical fighting” and welcomed all countries to board China’s “express train” of development.

China’s top legislator Zhao Leji on March 28 said that Asia has endured both “hot and cold” wars and they should prevent the world from becoming an arena for “geopolitical fighting” and welcomed all countries to board China’s “express train” of development.

Mr. Zhao, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, was speaking at the opening session of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024, an international organisation of 29 member states, including many leaders from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries such as Sri Lanka.

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Speaking at the same session, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunewardane, said that Sri Lanka’s port development has taken a new turn of “advanced” development with the assistance of China and it will “change the present scenario”.

A day earlier, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister had said that China has pledged to develop the island nation’s strategic deep sea port and the capital’s airport after talks with his counterpart in Beijing, according to AFP.

“Colombo port will become a hub of a newly developed port with financial instruments that could cater to the new demands that are growing among ourselves, among our countries, for development and investment, which is essential. This will change the present scenario from East Asia to East Africa, and the blue seas that we all could work together for the future that we face in a successful and a great joint program are what we look forward to,” Mr. Gunawardena said on March 28.

Sri Lanka’s southern sea port of Hambantota was handed to a Chinese state-owned company in 2017 on a 99-year lease for $1.12 billion. India and the U.S. are both concerned that a Chinese foothold at the port could boost China’s naval advantage in the Indian Ocean.