A hospital and clean water: China on the charm offensive in Sri Lanka

POLONARRUWA, Sri Lanka - Amid the lush paddy fields of central Sri Lanka, a large, state-of-the-art hospital rises between the cranes and cement mixers.

Water plants and a Chinese radio station promoting its economic and social programs are part of the campaign to win over doubters. Gotabaya’s brother, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, courted China in the aftermath of the 26-year civil war against Tamil separatists that ended in 2009. “We want to remain neutral in our foreign relations and stay out of any conflicts amongst the world powers.”

China has also completed two water facilities in a parched part of the island, while a third, the biggest, is nearing completion and will supply clean drinking water to villages in the Puttalam area. To help spread the message, a Chinese state-run radio station broadcasts reports about Chinese-backed economic and social programs in Sri Lanka in the local Sinhalese language.

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