Chinese envoy visits point close to India
In an apparently strategic move, China’s ambassador Qi Zhenhong visited the Northern Province, including Sri Lanka’s northern most point, Sakkotai Cape in Point Pedro overlooking India, with which China has territorial disputes. The importance of the visit was seen when a Chinese official operated a drone to record the northern seascape. The ambassador asked a Sri Lankan military official how far it was to India from that point. He was told it was 30km away.
A high- level Chinese embassy delegation led by Ambassador Qi Zhenhong undertook a three- day visit to the Northern Province this week.
Security was beefed up in view of the visit which began on Wednesday. The Northern Province Governors' Secretariat directly coordinated with the embassy on the visit and other arrangements while other relevant government institutions and senior officials were informed of the visit and requested to extend their support. A police motorcade along with military personnel accompanied the delegation.
The delegation visited Sakkottai Cape in the village of Munai at the northernmost notch of Point Pedro. The local fishermen in the area have repeatedly alleged that Indian fishermen enter into Sri Lankan territorial waters -- sometimes even closer to the coast at the expense of destroying their nets and livelihood. The Chinese envoy donated fishing nets to the northern fishermen and food packs to local residents.
As the delegation was busy taking photographs with the plaque, a drone was up in the air recording footage of the norther n coastal land, Ambassador Zhenhong asked a military officer "How far is India located from here?" The military officer responded saying "30 kilometres" while pointing his hand at the northern sea.