Are concerns over Chinese presence in Sri Lanka valid?

China buys part of a port in Hambantota for the next 99 years, but critics complain a Chinese colony is being built.

It's a deal that the Sri Lankan government hopes will pay off some of its multi-billion dollar debts to China.

A controversial agreement has been signed to lease the port of Hambantota to a Chinese state-owned company for the next 99 years.

The Chinese government helped foot the $1.3bn bill for the construction of the redeveloped port in southern Sri Lanka.

An industrial zone near the port hopes to attract Chinese investment.

Critics complain a Chinese colony is being built.

Sri Lankan leaders insist Chinese debts need to be repaid and the deal will attract investment and create jobs.

Is the deal too high a price to pay?

Presenter: Richelle Carey

Guests:

Christopher Balding - Associate professor at Peking University HSBC Business School

Einar Tangen - Political affairs analyst

Uday Bhaskar - Director of Society for Policy Studies in New Delhi

Source: Al Jazeera News

Commenting has been disabled. To find out more, click here.

What obstacles do young women in technology have to overcome to achieve their dreams? Play this retro game to find out.

About 150 homes in one of Ottawa's most diverse and affordable communities are expected to be torn down in coming months

In 1959, a year before Nigeria's independence, a 23-year-old student helped colour the country's identity.

Thousands of Africans pick fruit and vegetables for a pittance as supermarkets profit, and face violent abuse.

MUST-SEE PROGRAMMES