If the US and its allies are allowed to subvert the principles of non-interference, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries like Sri Lanka would be in serious peril, Ambassador of China, Qi Zhenhong said yesterday in a statement.

“More seriously, the world might slide back to jungle rules and barbarian times. With separatists and extremists being encouraged, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of medium and small countries might be severely challenged. The peace and stability in the region and the world enjoyed by countries including Sri Lanka would also suffer serious damages,” he said.He said that Sri Lanka, in his history, overcome aggression from its northern neighbor 17 times, colonization by the west for 450 years, and fought a war on terrorism for nearly three decades. thus, infringement on the national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka should not be tolerated, Zhenhong said.

“Approving a foreign vessel’s port call at Hambantota or any other port for replenishment is a decision made by the Sri Lankan government completely within its sovereignty, not to mention all the scientific research activities of “Yuan Wang 5″ comply with the international law and common international practice,” he said.

External obstruction based on so called security concerns but without any evidence fromcertain forces is de facto interference into Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and independence, the Chinese ambassador said.

“Fortunately, with China and Sri Lanka’s joint efforts, the incident was resolved properly, which not only safeguards Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and independence, but also defend the international fairness and justice once again,” he said.

The Chinese ambassador said, China suffered a hundred years of humiliation from 1840 till 1949. Because of the similar dark experience, China has always been supporting Sri Lanka in the international fora for protecting its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

“In contrast, some countries, far or near, always make various groundless excuses to bully Sri Lanka, and trample on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and independence repeatedly. Next month, the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council will be held in Geneva where human rights issues in Sri Lanka might probably be stirred up again. As the Sri Lankan people are still grappling with severe economic and humanitarian difficulties, many might wonder what those countries who have been

always preaching about human rights will actually do. Will they help Sri Lanka to ease its human rights crisis by providing concrete support? Or will they again use human rights as a cover-up tool to interfere into the island nation’s internal affairs and continue to rub salt into the wound of Sri Lankan people? Just let’s wait and see.”