China reiterates its support for Sri Lanka
China has reiterated its support for Sri Lanka, stating that the country has made progress in promoting human rights and towards national reconciliation. China further called on the international community to desist from taking measures that ‘may complicate the issue’ and instead, help create an external environment conducive to the country’s stability.
The comments come against the backdrop of China’s recent election to the UN Human Rights Council and British Prime Minister David Cameron’s ultimatum to Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth summit, that, if Sri Lanka did not set up a ‘credible mechanism’ to investigate allegations of war crimes by March 2014, the UK would call for an international investigation. Some media reports citing remarks by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson suggests a ‘shift’ in Beijing’s backing of Colombo in the face of western criticism of the country’s rights record. Clarifying its stance, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Colombo in an emailed statement said:
“China's position remains unchanged. Over the years, Sri Lanka has made big strides in promoting human rights and realising national reconciliation. We believe that the Sri Lanka Government and its people have the wisdom and capacity to deal appropriately with their internal affairs. The international community, instead of taking measures that may complicate the issue, should create a favorable external environment for Sri Lanka to pursue stability and economic development.”
A question on Sri Lanka was asked at the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang’s regular press conference on Monday. The Chinese embassy in its statement said “We hope that some media do not distort or quote out of context the Spokesperson’s remarks.” It said the question and answer were as follows:
Q: At the Commonwealth Summit in Colombo, human rights violation in Sri Lanka became a big issue. The British Prime Minister raised the deadline to next March or so, for Sri Lanka to set right its human rights record, or else, it will be taken on by the UN Human Rights Council. What is China's comment?
A: What you have mentioned is the domestic affairs of the British Commonwealth. But we hold that since national conditions of countries differ and levels of economic and social development vary, countries can have differences or even disagreements on human rights protection. What is most important is that human rights conditions should be improved by the governments of countries concerned, through their efforts, and constructive help should also be offered by the international community. We have been upholding that on the issue of human rights, the international community should enhance mutual understanding and cooperation through dialogues and exchanges, to jointly promote the international cause of human rights in a constructive way.”
China's position remains unchanged. Over the years, Sri Lanka has made big strides in promoting human rights and realising national reconciliation. We believe that the Sri Lanka Government and its people have the wisdom and capacity to deal appropriately with their internal affairs.”