Lanka backs China’s sea ‘Silk Route’

COLOMBO: Chinese President Xi Jinping won Sri Lanka’s support on Tuesday for a proposed maritime “Silk Road” linking China with Europe, and helped launch billion-dollar power plant and port city projects funded by his government. Xi, the first Chinese leader to visit Sri Lanka in 28 years, and President Mahinda Rajapaksa oversaw the signing of 27 agreements in areas including highways and the construction of a joint coastal and marine research centre. They also agreed to start negotiations on a free trade agreement. Before departing for India on sept 17, Xi planned to help launch Colombo Port City, being constructed on an artificial island off Colombo with $1.4 billion in Chinese loans.