<p>US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the Chinese Communist Party was operating as a "predator" in Sri Lanka, as the top US diplomat kept up tough criticism of China on a tour of Asia.</p>.<p>Pompeo arrived in Sri Lanka from India as part of a four-leg tour aimed at bolstering allies against China's increasing political and military inroads in the region in recent years.</p>.<p>"We see from bad deals, violations of sovereignty and lawlessness on land and sea that the Chinese Communist Party is a predator, and the United States comes in a different way, we come as a friend, and as a partner," Pompeo told a televised news conference in the capital, Colombo.</p>.<p>In contrast to India, which is locked in a military stand-off with China and was the first stop on Pompeo's trip, Sri Lanka is a close ally of Beijing.</p>.<p>China has invested billions of dollars in Sri Lankan ports and highways as part of its Belt and Road Initiative of transport and energy links, a programme the United States believes is designed to trap smaller countries in debt.</p>.<p>Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said Sri Lanka wanted peace and good relations with all.</p>.<p>"Sri Lanka is a neutral, non-aligned country, committed to peace," Gunawardena told the told the news conference.</p>.<p>"We hope to continue with our relations with the United States and other countries."</p>
<p>US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the Chinese Communist Party was operating as a "predator" in Sri Lanka, as the top US diplomat kept up tough criticism of China on a tour of Asia.</p>.<p>Pompeo arrived in Sri Lanka from India as part of a four-leg tour aimed at bolstering allies against China's increasing political and military inroads in the region in recent years.</p>.<p>"We see from bad deals, violations of sovereignty and lawlessness on land and sea that the Chinese Communist Party is a predator, and the United States comes in a different way, we come as a friend, and as a partner," Pompeo told a televised news conference in the capital, Colombo.</p>.<p>In contrast to India, which is locked in a military stand-off with China and was the first stop on Pompeo's trip, Sri Lanka is a close ally of Beijing.</p>.<p>China has invested billions of dollars in Sri Lankan ports and highways as part of its Belt and Road Initiative of transport and energy links, a programme the United States believes is designed to trap smaller countries in debt.</p>.<p>Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said Sri Lanka wanted peace and good relations with all.</p>.<p>"Sri Lanka is a neutral, non-aligned country, committed to peace," Gunawardena told the told the news conference.</p>.<p>"We hope to continue with our relations with the United States and other countries."</p>