News Story: CM Port says to build Hambantota Port into global maritime center

COLOMBO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- China Merchant Ports Holdings aims to building the Hambantota Port in southern Sri Lanka into a global maritime center, the company said at Colombo's Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

China Merchant Port Holdings (CM Port) entered into partnership with the Sri Lanka Port Authority in July.

It is the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ever implemented in Sri Lanka.

"We are targeting to turn the Hambantota port into a major hub connecting the neighboring countries as well as the rest of the world. That is the national vision of Sri Lanka and it is also our mission as an operator," said Deputy General Manager of CM Port Hang Tian at Colombo's Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Sri Lanka, Australia sign agreement to counter human trafficking

COLOMBO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) enabling a closer cooperation to counter human trafficking in the region, the Australian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement.

The MoU, inked on Thursday, will facilitate the return to Sri Lanka of people who are involved in human trafficking activities.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: India Seeks More Maritime Support From Neighbors to Oust China From Indian Ocean

India has been pushing for a collective security mechanism with its maritime neighbors to prevent China from making further inroads into the Indian Ocean region where India has its strategically most important economic zone.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – In view of the increasing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region, India is lobbying hard for a consensus among other countries of the region to support India. India’s foreign minister, Sushma Swaraj is in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, where she addressed the inaugural session of the second Indian Ocean conference. She called for the development of a security architecture for collective action.

“We will use our capabilities for the collective well being, and the mutual benefit of our maritime neighbors and island states in building their capabilities. As we envisage the Indian Ocean as an engine for growth and prosperity in our region and beyond, it is of utmost importance that these waters remain safe and secure. We consider it an imperative that those who live in this region bear the primary responsibility for the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean,” Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said. 

USA: SEACAT enhances cooperative maritime security in South, Southeast Asia

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

Liaison officers coordinate exercise activities during SEACAT, Aug. 28 at Changi Naval Base in Singapore. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

SINGAPORE - The 16th annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise commenced Aug. 21 in Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines, focusing on shared maritime security challenges of the region.

The goal of the exercise, which continues through Sept. 1, is to increase multilateral cooperation and information sharing among navies and coast guards across South and Southeast Asia. The exercise will continue through Sept 1.

"SEACAT brings nations together for meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing, and practical training to address common challenges of piracy, sea smuggling, and other illegal activities at sea," said Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (COMLOGWESTPAC). "We appreciate that regional nations see the value in working together, evidenced by a growing number of participants.

News Story: Defense seminar in Sri Lanka to discuss efforts against extremism

COLOMBO, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday inaugurated the annual Colombo Defence Seminar which will discuss global efforts to counter violent extremism.

The two-day international seminar is attended by over 91 foreign military and civil scholars from across the globe.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne said this year's seminar which will be held on the theme of Countering Violent Extremism with the objective of establishing intellectual connectivity on preserving strategic national, regional and global security.

With many countries facing the threat of violence, the defense secretary said it was important for countries to maintain collective defense strategies as no country in solitude could counter the situation.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Philippines, Chinese coast guards hold maritime exercises

A Philippine Coast Guard Ship

By Evelyn Macairan

MANILA, Philippines - Despite China’s creeping occupation of land features within Philippine waters, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has embarked on a joint maritime law enforcement operation with its Chinese counterpart in accordance with President Duterte’s instructions.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said that since President Duterte’s visit to China last year, the PCG has established better rapport with the Chinese Coast Guard, while maintaining good relations with the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

“The Philippine Coast Guard has received guidance from the President to cooperate and forge an agreement with the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG), so we have clear cut guidelines from the President,” Balilo said. “Our actions are aligned with the guidance of President Duterte.”

Aside from a series of meetings with the CCG, the PCG sent 20 of its officers to China last May for a two-week law enforcement training. Also in the works is a visit of a CCG ship to the Philippines possibly next month.

Balilo said improving relationship with China is in the best interest of the PCG as it would enhance the skills of its personnel in combatting sea piracy, terrorism and illegal drugs – the problems Duterte wants immediately addressed.

The PCG is also currently collaborating with the USCG and with the coast guards of six other member-countries of the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: The Doklam Gambit: How China Lured India into a ‘Diplomatic Trap’

An analyst have suggested that the Chinese and Indian stand-off over the disputed Doklam Plateau may be a Chinese gambit to drive a wedge between India and its smaller ally Bhutan, who has a competing claim on Doklam with Beijing.

According to them, China's sudden move into Doklam to build a road in disputed territory with Bhutan was a clear provocation, but one that was not done needlessly. The border dispute may be between China and Bhutan, but it isn't Bhutanese troops facing off with the People's Liberation Army — it's Indian troops instead. Bhutan's tiny military, which has no Air Force and relies on the Indian Army for training, could not hope to stand up against the might of Beijing. Thus, New Delhi came to their ally's defense.

There's only one problem with India's narrative: their troops are outside of Indian soil. India has no claim to Doklam, which means they have either occupied Bhutan or invaded China, depending on how the dispute shakes out. Neither reflects well on New Delhi.

This has led to the theory that China purposefully provoked India in Doklam to drive a wedge between them and Bhutan. The Land of the Thunder Dragon was never part of the British Raj, but it was once an Indian protectorate and maintains close ties to them. In recent years it has become more eager to increase its independence and be seen as a fully-fledged nation.

News Story: Chinese navy's hospital ship docks in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Chinese Navy hospital ship Peace Ark (Image: Wiki Commons)

COLOMBO, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese navy's hospital ship Peace Ark arrived at the port of Colombo on Sunday for a four-day stopover there.

The ship slowly sailed into the port at around 10:00 a.m.(0430 GMT) in its first visit to Sri Lanka, with some 300 people, including officials of both countries and representatives of various Chinese communities there, welcoming its arrival.

The hospital ship will be open to the public during the stopover and provide medical service for local residents, said Major General Guan Bolin, commander of the task.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Sri Lanka completes controversial $1 billion port deal with China

By Amal JAYASINGHE

Sri Lanka on Saturday sealed a billion-dollar deal to let a Chinese state firm take over a loss-making port in a move that worries many, including its giant neighbour India.

The long-delayed $1.1 billion sale of a 70 percent stake in Hambantota port, which straddles the world's busiest east-west shipping route, was confirmed by Sri Lanka's Ports Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.

The government used tough laws against industrial action to stop workers going on strike this week to oppose the sale to China Merchants Port Holdings.

India is nervous about China's infrastructure moves into its traditional sphere of influence.

"We have addressed geo-political concerns," the minister said at a signing ceremony in Colombo. "China has accepted that everything in this agreement will operate under Sri Lankan law."

Negotiations over the deal were held up for months amid opposition from trade unions and political parties.

The minister said this week that several countries had raised fears about the sale. India and the United States are known to be concerned that China getting a foothold at the deep-sea port could give it a military naval advantage in the Indian Ocean.

Samarasinghe said that Hambantota, 240 kilometres (150 miles) south of Colombo, will not be a military base for any country.

China Merchants built and operates Sri Lanka's only major deep-sea terminal in Colombo, which can accommodate the world's largest container carriers.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Story: China, Sri Lanka ink Hambantota Port deal

COLOMBO, July 29 (Xinhua) -- China Merchants Port Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority signed an agreement here on Saturday to develop the Hambantota Port in southern Sri Lanka.

Under the deal, the Chinese side will hold a 70 percent stake in two joint ventures to be launched to take charge of the commercial and administrative management operations of the port respectively.

After 10 years, the Sri Lankan side will gradually purchase an additional 20 percent stake, resulting in the two sides owning an equal share of 50 percent each, according to the agreement, which is valid for 99 years.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: China Won’t Get Port for Naval Base, Sri Lanka Assures India

China will not be able to use the Hambantota port in southern Sri Lanka as a naval base and limit its presence to commercial activities as part of a revised agreement approved by the Sri Lankan government on Tuesday, allaying strategic concerns raised by India.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — As part of the revised pact, the Sri Lankan government has limited the role of the Chinese to just commercial operations, while retaining oversight of security operations at the port. The earlier terms of the agreement had sparked a controversy and protests in the island nation.

“Some [diplomatic] missions here were worried that the port would be used as a military naval base. As per the revised agreement, Sri Lanka will manage the port security. Our foreign policy today is reaching out to everyone and not giving special treatment to anyone,” The Hindu quoted Mahinda Samarasinghe, Sri Lankan Ports Minister, as saying.

The strategically located port was built with Chinese loans in 2010 during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure. In 2016, the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe government decided to sell 80% stake in the port to the state-run China Merchants Port Holdings in order to service the massive $8 billion debt the island nation owes to China.

News Story: Sri Lankan cabinet approves agreement with China on Hambantota Port

COLOMBO, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan cabinet has approved agreement with China on Hambantota Port, describing it as "a win-win situation for both countries."

Under the agreement, China Merchants Port Holdings will own 70 percent stake of the port while Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own 30 percent, Ports Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said late Tuesday.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Samarasinghe said the matter will also be discussed in parliament on Friday and all legislators will be briefed about the agreement signed between the two countries.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: From Goa With Love - Sri Lanka Gets Biggest Warship to Date From India

To compete and counter China’s maritime influence in its backyard, India’s Goa Shipyard has delivered an advanced offshore patrol vessel (AOPV) to Sri Lanka, which is considered to be the biggest warship of the small island nation, a critical partner of India in the Indian Ocean.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Designed in-house and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), the ship is to be commissioned into the Sri Lanka Navy as SLNS Sayurala on August 2 in Colombo. The Indian Navy said, "Ship delivered ahead of schedule and showcases close interaction between Sri Lanka Navy, Indian Navy and manufacturer GSL in the execution of the project."

"First time in the history of GSL, we are handing over two OPVs within a gap of one month, against earlier minimum interval of 5-6 months. In last 20 months, we have delivered 5 OPVs for Coast Guard, 2 FPVs & 11 FICs for Mauritius and this AOPV for Sri Lanka, besides other smaller projects, all ahead of schedule," Rear Admiral Shekhar Mital, Chairman and Managing Director of GSL, said.

News Story: Australian FM to discuss trade, regional security with Indian, Sri Lankan counterparts

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop
(Image: Wiki Commons)

CANBERRA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Monday announced that she will travel to the Indian subcontinent this week to discuss trade and regional security with counterparts from India and Sri Lanka.

In a statement detailing her whirlwind trip, Bishop said that, in India, she would meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as her counterpart Sushma Swaraj, before delivering a speech about bilateral cooperation in New Delhi.

"In India, I will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and join Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj for our bilateral Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue," Bishop said on Monday.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: China ships troops to its first overseas base in Africa

China has deployed troops to its first overseas naval base in Djibouti, a major step forward for the country's expansion of its military presence abroad.

Chinese sailors sailed out of a naval base in Zhanjiang in the southern province of Guangdong on Tuesday and towards the Horn of Africa nation, according to a statement posted on the defence ministry's website.

The logistics base is the first of its kind for China, which will use it to support "naval escorts in Africa and southwest Asia, (UN) peacekeeping and for humanitarian support," the statement said.

It will also allow China to evacuate its nationals in a crisis, support anti-piracy activities off Somalia and work with other nations to "jointly defend the security of strategic passages."

The Chinese navy has long assisted in anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden, as well as UN peacekeeping efforts throughout Africa, but the base will be the country's first naval base abroad.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Report: With Eye on China, India, US and Japan Conduct Naval Drills

Anjana Pasricha

In a signal of deepening military cooperation between India, the United States and Japan, the three countries have deployed some of their largest warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean for an annual naval exercise that is conducted with an eye on China.

The naval drills have expanded in the last two years amid growing concerns over Chinese maritime assertiveness not just in South China Sea, but also in the Indian Ocean.

The Malabar exercises are the most visible symbol of New Delhi’s strengthening security ties with the United States, which were reaffirmed last month by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Exercise expands

This year’s weeklong maneuvers on the high seas, which began Monday, involve more than 15 warships, including the US nuclear powered aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz, India's aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, and Japan’s largest warship, the JS Izumo.

The focus this year is on anti-submarine warfare.

USA: USS Lake Erie completes relief mission in Sri Lanka

From Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Jason McEntire works with Sri Lankan Marines to repair levees during humanitarian assistance operations, June 12. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -U.S. Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) completed their contributions to the humanitarian assistance mission in Sri Lanka, June 17.

More than 400 Sailors participated in the mission in Sri Lanka, where recent heavy rainfalls brought by a southwest monsoon triggered flooding and landslides throughout the country, displacing thousands of people and causing significant damage to homes and buildings.

"Our mission here was straight-forward, to provide support and relief efforts to our friends in Sri Lanka who were impacted by this disaster," said Capt. Alexis T. Walker, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. "Working alongside Sailors and Marines from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, our team conducted irrigation repairs, well rehabilitation and levee repairs throughout the region. I'm proud of our efforts this week and the assistance we were able to provide."

News Story: ‘No failure of intelligence in Marawi’

MANILA, Philippines - The crisis in Marawi City was not caused by a failure of intelligence but by connivance between local warlords and terrorists who stockpiled firearms in the city and the “soft” policy towards rebels, President Duterte said yesterday.

Duterte said the government was aware that firearms were being stockpiled in Mindanao but took it for granted because of the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). 

“We have adopted a very soft policy towards the rebels and this came about because they were bringing firearms. Since we are thinking of getting peace with the MNLF and MILF. The game there involves firearms. We took it for granted. We just allowed it to happen because we never knew until that time who was really the enemy,” Duterte told the troops in Butuan City. 

“When they see firearms and they were told that it’s for MILF or MNLF, the standing order was maybe we can talk to our brothers so there will be no trouble (but) it turned out that the Maute were bringing the firearms surreptitiously and we did not know how much ammunition and firearms were stockpiled, and besides it was not a failure of intelligence,” he added. 

Appearing in public for the first time in nearly a week, Duterte said the terrorists seem to have an “endless supply” of firearms and ammunition because of the assistance of corrupt local warlords.

“But all the while, the Maute (was conniving with) politicians there, the warlords, and were stockpiling. That’s why they do not run out of M203 bullets,” he said, noting many soldiers were hit by that type of bullet. 

Duterte confirmed extremists from Indonesia, Syria, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Kuwait joined the Maute terrorists in the clashes with government troops. 

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Aung San Suu Kyi pledges Myanmar's active participation in BIMSTEC integration process

Aung San Suu Kyi

YANGON, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has pledged the country's continued active participation in the BIMSTEC region's integration process to fulfill the objectives of the organization and to meet the aspiration of the people of the region.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) groups Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.

Suu Kyi made the remarks in her message on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of BIMSTEC, which was published Thursday.

Read the full story at Xinhua

Nerws Story: Three Chinese naval ships arrive in Sri Lanka to assist in flood relief

COLOMBO, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Three Chinese navy ships arrived in the Port of Colombo on Wednesday to assist in the ongoing relief operations after major floods and landslides caused by severe rains killed over 200 people in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a statement on Thursday.

The three Chinese Navy ships - "Chang Chun," "Jing Zhou," and "Chao Hu" - were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Chinese navy officers called on Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Ravindra Wijegunaratne and handed over relief materials which included rice, flour, bottled water, instant noodles, 10 rescue rubber boats and medical supplies.

The Chinese navy will also dispatch 16 doctors as part of a rescue team to conduct medical assistance in flood-affected areas.

The Sri Lankan Navy commander thanked the Chinese government, the people and the Chinese Navy for the assistance rendered to Sri Lanka during this hour of grief.

Read the full story at Xinhua