A leading Sri Lankan expert today called on China to allay concerns of its neighbours over its fast-growing naval presence in the strategic Indian Ocean Region by enhancing trust and cooperation with them.
China can boost cooperation on trade, combating terrorism and build confidence with its neighbours over its Maritime Silk Road initiative, said Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, executive director of Sri Lanka's state-owned think-tank Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations.
"Some political analysts view Maritime Silk Road as an attempt to counter to 'string of pearls' strategy China was accused of pursuing and an effort to counter regional anxieties about its fast-expanding naval presence," Asanga said.
"These speculations are the results of lack of trust and confidence among the countries in China's neighbourhood," he said without naming India during a seminar on South Asia development in Hong Kong.
Some analysts in India are concerned about China's 'string of pearls' encirclement of the Indian Ocean Region. They fear the expanding presence of China in the region could lead to strategic choking of India.
If China wants to realise its dream of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, it is vital to develop friendly relations with countries in the Indian Ocean Region, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.
"Whatever criticisms are made of the Maritime Silk Road, according to my view, this is a platform to share the development China has achieved over the past few decades," he said.
The Maritime Silk Road is a cooperation initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Indonesia last October.
China has invited India to join it and the issue reportedly figured in yesterday's talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
According to China, the Maritime Silk Road dates back to 2,000 years ago, when ancient merchants sailed from China's eastern coast, passing Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Africa, all the way to the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, strengthening economic ties and cultural communications.
Asanga said Sri Lanka aspires to develop itself as a global logistic hub, while the ongoing port development projects funded by China will help the island nation become a maritime hub.
Sri Lanka can share its expertise in combating terrorism with China, and the two navies can carry out maritime security cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Indian Ocean, he said.
Nepal's Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal, who was addressed the seminar, said it is time to explore all ways to strengthen relations for mutual benefits between China and South Asian countries.
