Promoting China’s Development Model for the Hambantota International Port: Selling Shekou to Sri Lanka

This article examines the narratives associated with the “Shekou Model” in China’s development of the Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka. Through a dual narrative analysis and policy evaluation approach utilizing official Chinese and Sri Lankan statements, it examines the motivations of the Chinese Communist Party and the China Merchants Group in “selling” the Shekou Model and how Sri Lankans react to these efforts. It argues that the Chinese Communist Party aims to promote the Chinese development model and continued Belt and Road Initiative co-operation. Conversely, the China Merchants Group seeks to expand its portfolio and export its Shekou Model while adhering to the national Belt and Road Initiative strategy to secure institutional backing. Lastly, the Sri Lankan government is primarily interested in ensuring economic benefits from China. It finds that the strategy’s primary beneficiary is the Chinese Communist Party, whose overarching policy of promoting China’s development model has been successful. In contrast, selling Shekou has been a tolerable failure for the China Merchants Group and the Sri Lankan government. Consequently, this article contributes to studies of the promotion of China’s development model, the interplay between Chinese domestic and international policy-making practices, and Party, government, and business relations.