China today congratulated Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election victory, while the state media played down the defeat of pro- Beijing ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa saying China cannot be avoided as bilateral ties have transcended partisan politics.
"The parliamentary election in Sri Lanka went on steadily and smoothly. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party won the election and will lead to form the next government. We want to express our congratulations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement.
"We believe that under the leadership of the new government, Sri Lanka will achieve greater progress in its economic and social development," Hua said.
About the relations between the two countries, she said "The good friendship and partnership between China and Sri Lanka have withstood the test of time. The friendly cooperation between the two countries meets the fundamental interests of the two sides, and echoes the common aspiration of the two peoples."
The Chinese side stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to consolidate the traditional friendship, strengthen mutually- beneficial cooperation, and elevate China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperation partnership to a new level, she said.
Earlier amid a sense of unease over Rajapaksa's defeat in the polls, official media blamed the western and Indian media for attributing pro-China image to Rajapaksa during his whose tenure Sri Lanka secured about USD five billion loans from China for strategic projects expanding Beijing's influence in India's backyard.
"Although the President Sirisena government is recalibrating its foreign policy and seeking a balanced approach in handling relations with big powers, China cannot be avoided," state-run Global Times said in a commentary.
"It's only the outsiders' wishful thinking that partisan politics will stagnate or even turn back China-Sri Lanka relations. China will also not depend on any single party to maintain the bilateral relationship".
"Since Rajapaksa announced his run, some Western and Indian media have deliberately portrayed him as 'Beijing's preferred candidate' and highlighted that his defeat would be frustrating for Beijing," the commentary said.
"When the allegedly pro-China former president was unseated by Sirisena in January, there was also speculation that the change of government would pose challenges to Sino-Sri Lankan ties and particularly for the Chinese investments in the country," it said.
"Although partisan politics may have a certain effect on bilateral ties, it's inappropriate to exaggerate the influence. To consolidate high-level strategic cooperation with China has gained bipartisan backing in Sri Lanka's parliament. No matter which party takes power, it will maintain a good relationship with China," it said.
