In addition to economic gains, it is Sri Lanka's strategic location that has prompted Beijing to aim for a strategic relationship with Colombo. Beijing is much concerned about the growing US presence in the region as well as about increasing Indo-US naval co-operation in the Indian Ocean. Besides exploring options to cushion the impact of Indo-US strategic co-operation in the region, China looks at using the partnership with Sri Lanka to enhance its influence over strategic sea lanes of communication from Europe to East Asia and oil tanker routes from the Middle East to the Malacca Straits.
