A Chinese Song Class diesel-electric submarine was in Colombo during President Xi Jinping’s visit last week making it the first foreign port of call made by a Chinese submarine as well as the first confirmed appearance of a Chinese sub in the Indian Ocean.It was part of a task force which consisted of a large submarine support ship named Chongxing Island which came to the Colombo Port South Terminal built with Chinese funds during Xi’s visit.This move could be the first step made by China to project its power in the Indian Ocean.It is also reported that the Type-039 conventional submarine (NATO codenamed Song) is a second-generation conventional submarines designed and built by China.It is the first Chinese submarine Class to be fitted with an integrated electronic support measures/radio direction finder/ radar warning receiver system.It is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.According to the Chinese media PLA Naval fleets would visit Colombo in October and November this year as well.(Supun Dias)
Tagged with
China,
colombo,
Indian Ocean,
NATO,
submarine,
Submarines,
Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the country on Tuesday morning in a show of strength to the prevailing China-Sri Lanka Relations.
Incidentally, it is after a period of twenty eight years that a head of state from China arrived in Sri Lanka.
President Xi Jinping was warmly welcomed to the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Tuesday morning.
A number of high-level officials were present at the airport to welcome the Chinese President and his delegation. The visiting Chinese President called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat. Both leaders were engaged in an extensive discussion.
The final phase of the Norochcholai Thermal Power Plant that was constructed with Chinese aid of 1.34 Billion US Dollars was declared open by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The presentation took place at the Presidential Secretariat.
The two leaders joined their delegations to sign more than 20 bilateral agreements to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
On Wednesday, President Rajapaksa and President Xi Jinping will visit the Colombo International Container Terminal to launch the construction of the Colombo Port City.
Tagged with
China,
China President,
colombo,
Colombo Port,
Colombo Port City,
Colombo Port City Project,
Mahinda Rajapaksa,
President,
Sri lanka News,
Xi Jinping
The First Lady of the Republic of China Peng Liyuan is also accompanying President Xi Jinping on his visit to Sri Lanka. Here is a look at the illustrious career of the First Lady of China Peng Liyuan.
Scroll down for photos.
The new First Lady of China was almost unknown until she emerged on Xi Jinping’s first presidential tour. In her homeland – she has been a superstar for three decades – Mrs Peng’s emergence on the world stage has been greeted with delight in China.
Well before she met the President, Mrs. Peng was arguably the most famous singer in China.
Her place at the top table of the Chinese establishment was cemented in 1985 when she spent 20 days on the front line entertaining troops as they fought a border conflict with Vietnam.
She gained popularity as a soprano singer from her regular appearances on the annual CCTV New Year’s Gala, a widely viewed mainland Chinese television programme that airs during the Chinese New Year.
She has won many honours in singing competitions in China.
She was the first in China to obtain a Master’s Degree in traditional ethnic music when the degree was established in the 1980s.
Born in Peng village in 1962, in the Eastern Province of Shandong, Mrs. Peng comes from a poor family and the very opposite end of the Communist Party to her princeling husband, whose father was a vice-premier of China.
Mrs. Peng is actively involved in politics herself, and is a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
She is also a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS since 2011.[12]
As of 2014, she is listed as the 57th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.
Tagged with
China,
China First Lady Peng Liyuan,
China First Lady Peng Liyuan in Sri Lanka,
China President in Sri Lanka,
Chinese President,
President of China,
Sri lanka News,
Xi Jinping
The President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping will be undertaking a state visit to Sri Lanka September 16 and 17, at the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It would be recalled that President Rajapaksa paid a landmark state visit to China in May 2013 during which both leaders agreed to elevate the bilateral relations to a ‘Strategic Cooperation Partnership’, by substantially expanding the mandate for engagement.
A number of bilateral agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed during the forthcoming visit. President Xi will be accompanied by First Lady, Peng Liyuan and a high level official delegation. This will be the first visit by a Head of State of China to Sri Lanka in 28 years.
Tagged with
Mahinda Rajapaksa,
sri lanka,
Sri lanka News,
Xi Jinping
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
