Addressing a forum in Colombo, Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Yi Xianliang said the project was open for collaboration with India and that his country welcomed constructive partners.

“We welcome any third party to join Sri Lanka and China. We are not opposed to India or any other country. China already has many business relationships with India,” Yi said at the forum organized by the Sri Lankan National Chamber of Commerce in September.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo was cautious about accepting the invitation saying it did not have sufficient details about the Colombo International Financial City, formerly known as the Colombo Port City.

However, the High Commission’s spokesperson was quick to add that the government continuously encouraged Indian businesses to invest in Sri Lanka.

“Already, we have quite a number of Indian companies who have made substantial investments in Sri Lanka. Of course, as and when there are further opportunities, more and more companies from India will invest in Sri Lanka,” said Esha Srivastava, First Secretary of the High Commission’s Press, Information & Culture Wing, told Asia Times.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the Colombo International Financial City would be transformed into a special economic and financial hub.

He has told Germany’s Deutsche Welle television that the city would be governed by special laws, like in Hong Kong and Dubai, for which the formulation of laws was underway.

A safe society for the country’s children could be created only through a proper and speedy economic growth, he said.