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China to build vast, controversial 'port city' in Sri Lanka | China to build vast, controversial 'port city' in Sri Lanka |
(6 months later) | |
Sri Lanka has granted permission for China to build a vast “port city” in the island’s capital, despite concerns the ambitious project could be an environmental disaster. | Sri Lanka has granted permission for China to build a vast “port city” in the island’s capital, despite concerns the ambitious project could be an environmental disaster. |
President Maithripala Sirisena had suspended the contentious $1.4bn plan to build on reclaimed land next to Colombo’s main harbour shortly after taking power in January last year. | President Maithripala Sirisena had suspended the contentious $1.4bn plan to build on reclaimed land next to Colombo’s main harbour shortly after taking power in January last year. |
But the port city, initiated by Chinese president Xi Jinping in September 2014 and expected to include housing, a marina and a Formula One racetrack, was again given the green light on Thursday. | But the port city, initiated by Chinese president Xi Jinping in September 2014 and expected to include housing, a marina and a Formula One racetrack, was again given the green light on Thursday. |
“The cabinet committee on economic management has recommended allowing resumption of the project subject to limitations and conditions stipulated in the EIA (environmental impact assessment),” the government said in a statement. | “The cabinet committee on economic management has recommended allowing resumption of the project subject to limitations and conditions stipulated in the EIA (environmental impact assessment),” the government said in a statement. |
It did not say what the conditions were, but official sources told AFP that Chinese investors were given permission to resume work on the project without any major modifications. | It did not say what the conditions were, but official sources told AFP that Chinese investors were given permission to resume work on the project without any major modifications. |
Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said reclaiming land next to the harbour could trigger erosion along the island’s western coastline and threaten its vital tourist industry. | Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said reclaiming land next to the harbour could trigger erosion along the island’s western coastline and threaten its vital tourist industry. |
The project, funded by Chinese state-owned company China Communications Construction, represents the biggest single foreign investment ever received by Sri Lanka. | The project, funded by Chinese state-owned company China Communications Construction, represents the biggest single foreign investment ever received by Sri Lanka. |
It will add 233 hectares (575 acres) of new real estate in the congested capital. | It will add 233 hectares (575 acres) of new real estate in the congested capital. |
Sirisena’s government had ordered a review of all big-ticket construction projects signed by his predecessor Mahinda Rajapakse, who is under investigation over allegations of corruption during his decade in power. | Sirisena’s government had ordered a review of all big-ticket construction projects signed by his predecessor Mahinda Rajapakse, who is under investigation over allegations of corruption during his decade in power. |
Rajapakse relied heavily on China to rebuild the country’s infrastructure after the end of the island’s decades-long ethnic war in May 2009. | Rajapakse relied heavily on China to rebuild the country’s infrastructure after the end of the island’s decades-long ethnic war in May 2009. |
China, the largest single lender to Sri Lanka, secured contracts to build roads, railways and ports under the Rajapakse regime. | China, the largest single lender to Sri Lanka, secured contracts to build roads, railways and ports under the Rajapakse regime. |
However, the present administration has accused the previous government of agreeing to unfavourable terms for the Chinese loans. | However, the present administration has accused the previous government of agreeing to unfavourable terms for the Chinese loans. |
Sirisena’s government is seeking an International Monetary Fund bail out of an unspecified amount of money to bolster the island’s foreign reserves. | Sirisena’s government is seeking an International Monetary Fund bail out of an unspecified amount of money to bolster the island’s foreign reserves. |
Beijing has been accused of seeking to develop facilities around the Indian Ocean in a “string of pearls” strategy to counter the rise of rival India and secure its own economic interests. | Beijing has been accused of seeking to develop facilities around the Indian Ocean in a “string of pearls” strategy to counter the rise of rival India and secure its own economic interests. |
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