China backs Sri Lanka to stave off US-sponsored resolution
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, March 22, IRNA -- China today firmly backed Sri Lanka against the US-sponsored resolution at the UNHRC on alleged war crimes, saying it is against any country putting pressure on others in the name of rights violations.
Sri Lanka has made rapid progress in promoting human rights and realisation of national reconciliation, PTI news agency quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.
Replying to questions about China's stance at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution calling for important steps towards reconciliation and accountability over the allegations of war crimes during the final days of the conflict with LTTE, the Ministry said Sri Lanka and its people were capable of dealing with their own affairs.
China thinks dialogue and cooperation are the basic ways for solving differences on human rights and Beijing is opposed to any pressure mounted on Colombo with a resolution, it said.
Instead of complicating the issue with such action, the international community should create a conducive atmosphere to stabilise situation in Sri Lanka, it added.
China, in recent years has made big investments in Sri Lanka besides assisting the island with major projects like building a modern port at Hambanthotta, emerging as one of Colombo's staunch allies.
China's support to Sri Lanka came days after India expressed its inclination to vote in favour of the resolution.
Earlier this month, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited Beijing to seek its support to stave off the US-led move.
Chinese Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie who met him said China will continue supporting Sri Lanka's efforts in safeguarding state independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and realising social and economic development.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80048449
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