Chinese Company’s Veiled Attack On India For Thwarting Power Plants In North Sri Lanka – OpEd

Ironically, while citing security concerns to block the Chinese project, India itself is opening to Chinese investments following a border disengagement pact with China.

In a press release entitled “On the truth of the Mini-Grid Projects in Northern Sri Lanka” the Chinese company SINOSOAR-ETECHWIN JV on Tuesday said that a “third party” had  spread concocted information damaging the reputation of the company and Sri Lanka as well.

The “third party” referred to was clearly India as the latter had strongly protested against the choice of the Chinese company to build renewable energy plants in three islands in North Sri Lanka not far from South India. India had alleged that the plants could be used for spying on India. 

Ironically and incongruently, while citing security concerns to block the  Chinese power project in North Sri Lanka, India itself is opening its doors to Chinese investments running into millions of dollars following a recent border disengagement pact with China.

Chinese Company States Its Case    

SINOSOAR-ETECHWIN-JV said that it was the pre-winning bidder for the mini-grid project in three islands in North Sri Lanka. “Recently the consortium learned from the media that a third party protested against the decision of the Sri Lankan Cabinet on grounds of so-called self-security, and concocted a series of false information inconsistent with the facts, which seriously affected the consortium’s reputation and legitimate rights,” the company said in its release.

Apparently issued through the Chinese embassy, the release said that the move of the “third party” could damage the credibility and image of the Government of Sri Lankan (GOSL) for attracting foreign investment and contractors.  

In its defense, the Chinese company said the following:

“With a concept of uplifting the life style of approximately 10,000 rural inhabitants living in Delft, Analativu, Nainativu outer islands, and promoting renewable energy, a loan proposal was submitted to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) by the previous Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) in September 2015. The main content of the project was to build a wind-photovoltaic-energy storage hybrid power generation system to replace the original diesel generator power supply, strengthen the improvement of electricity conditions for residents on the islands, make full use of renewable energy to reduce the cost of fuel power generation, and provide green, continuous and stable power.”

“The ADB approved this loan project numbered SRI- 3409 to support the reliability of the local power supply. As the executing agency, the Ceylon Electricity Board started project implementation in 2016.”

“Initially this project was advertised on 16th November 2017 inviting the international bidders to participate under the guidance of the ADB and GOSL.”

“However, in the 1st international bidding process, the procurement was not a success as none of the bidders complied with the qualification criteria. Hence, the bid was re-tendered on 27th June 2019 with the same ADB Procurement Guidelines allowing International bidders to participate and submit their proposals. “

“The Consortium (SINOSOAR-ETECHWIN-JV) had submitted its proposal on 18th September 2019 as international bidder. It finally passed the bidding evaluation and got the Cabinet awarded approval on January 18th 2021, and is now  waiting for the issuance of the final award letter. The winning bidder shall complete the project within 2 years (730 days) under the supervision and management of the employer (Ceylon Electricity Board) and then handover to CEB.”

“On January 18th, 2021, the project award was approved by the Cabinet of the incumbent GOSL (Government of Sri Lanka) but the final award letter was delayed due to interference from outside.”

The consortium then went on to say:

1.The politicization of the project goes against the interests of the people and does not meet the manifesto of the current government.

2. The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank, in full accordance with international bidding procedures. Every step is open and transparent.

3. According to the bidding regulations, the consortium is only responsible for the construction and handover of the project. All moves are under the complete supervision and management of the employer-Ceylon Electricity Board. There is no so-called “security” concern issue raised by third parties.

4. The consortium strictly abides by the laws and regulations of Sri Lanka and the relevant requirements of the Asian Development Bank as well as the Ceylon Electricity Board. At the same time, we firmly oppose any outrageous interference by any third party without legal and factual basis.

“The consortium sincerely hopes that the GOSL will strictly follow the international bidding procedures to implement the project, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the contractor, as well as its own credibility and international reputation.”

India’s Protest and Offer

As stated earlier, India had “strongly” protested against the granting of the project to the Chinese company on the grounds that one of the islands was as close as 48 km from Rameswaram in India and that the Chinese plant could be used to spy on India.

Following this, the Minister of Power Dallas Allahaperuma told the media that India had offered a loan of US$ 12 million to Sri Lanka to do the project itself with Indian technical help. The government would give the project to India as good relations with India is in Sri Lanka’s interest, he added. He also stated that a final decision had not been taken to give the project to the Chinese company.

However, Minister Allahaperuma was contradicted by another Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila who told the media that the original decision to award the project to the Chinese company remains.

Tamil Parties Oppose China

Meanwhile, the Tamil parties of the North have opposed the grant of the project to China and supported Indian involvement instead. The former Chief Minister of the Northern Province who is currently a Member of Parliament, C.V.Wigneswaran, said that Tamils need India’s help to secure their rights and therefore Tamils should support India on the power plant issue.

According to most Tamils, China will never support the Tamils in their fight for their rights because it has been China’s consistent policy to support governments rather than the minorities.

Lanka’s Dilemma

The Sri Lankan governmentis on thehorns of a dilemma because it cannot alienate either India or China. If India is a powerful geo-political factor, China is the main source of funding for expensive infrastructure projects. China is also necessary to keep a check on India’s growing demands.

India Itself Opens To China

Ironically, while opposing Chinese projects in Sri Lanka, India itself is set to clear 45 investment proposals from China, Indian government and industry sources told Reuters. This followed the easing of military tensions on the border between the two countries.

About 150 investment proposals from China worth more than US$ 2 billion were stuck in the pipeline since 2020 following the eruption of the conflict.

But now, two government sources who have seen the list told Reuters that most of the 45 proposals set for early approvals are in the manufacturing sector, which is considered non-sensitive in terms of national security.

“The sources did not elaborate but two other government officials and two industry sources who are privy to the process said proposals from Great Wall and SAIC Motor Corporation are likely to be on the list. Great Wall and General Motors (GM) made a joint proposal in 2020  year seeking consent for the Chinese automaker to purchase the US. company’s car plant in India, in a deal expected to be valued at around US$ 250-US$ 300 million.”

“Great Wall, which plans to invest US$ 1 billion in India over the next few years, said earlier that establishing operations in the country is a key part of its global strategy. It had planned to start selling cars in India from this year, and was also mulling bringing in electric vehicles.”

Great Wall said it continues to seek relevant approvals and investment clearances. A GM spokesman added: “We continue to seek all relevant approvals to support the transaction.” SAIC, which started selling cars in India in 2019 under its British brand MG Motor, has invested around US$ 400 million of the nearly US$ 650 million it has committed to India and would need approval to bring more investment.”

Categorization

Chinese investment proposals have been divided into three categories. “The plan going forward is to split up over 150 proposed Chinese investments into three categories depending on the risk to national security,” sources told Reuters.

“Sectors such as automobiles, electronics, chemicals and textiles are seen as non-sensitive whereas those involving data and finance are deemed sensitive, consultants and lawyers have said. Proposals from non-sensitive sectors will be approved faster, while those seen as “sensitive” will be reviewed later.