China responds to US State Secretary's visit to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News1st): The Chinese Embassy in Colombo has said that the US State Secretary's upcoming visit to Sri Lanka must "bring fruits & respect but not risks or trouble". US State Secretary Mike Pompeo is expected in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, as part of his visit to the Asian region, in a bid to counter China's growing influence. "...we are strongly opposed to the US using the State Secretary's visit to sow and interfere in China-Sri Lanka relations," the embassy's statement read. Ahead of his visit, Pompeo had urged Sri Lanka to make "difficult but necessary decisions" on its foreign relations, a move China has said is a violation of diplomatic protocols. "We have enough wisdom to handle relations with each other and do not need a third party to dictate," the statement issued on the eve of the US State Secretary's visit noted. The embassy said it expects the US to face up to the calls of the international community, the popular base of China- Sri Lanka relations, and the "real" needs of the Sri Lankan people. The full statement is attached below;