(Xinhua/Ding Lin)
China will actively support Sri Lanka by focusing on economic development and the two countries should jointly foster new strengths in high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as well as cooperation in modern agriculture, digital economy and marine economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.
China’s efforts to comprehensively deepen reform to advance China’s modernization will bring new opportunities for Sri Lanka’s development, Xi said during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. who is in China for a state visit.
Noting that China and Sri Lanka enjoy traditional friendship, Xi said bilateral relations have enjoyed healthy and stable development over the past 68 years, setting an example of friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries.
With joint efforts, China and Sri Lanka have continuously promoted the strategic cooperative partnership featuring mutual assistance and everlasting friendship. High-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Xi added.
The two countries should have in-depth understanding of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, he said.
Noting that China considers Sri Lanka a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, Xi said the country will continue to support Sri Lanka in maintaining its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China supports Sri Lanka in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and is willing to deepen political mutual trust, exchange governance experiences, and strengthen dialogue and communication among various departments of the two countries, Xi continued.
China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Sri Lanka within multilateral mechanisms, such as the United Nations, to jointly address major issues affecting all mankind, including climate change, said Mr. Xi.
He called for the pooling of efforts of the Global South for solidarity and development, in order to contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Noting that Sri Lanka admires China’s great development achievements in the areas of economy, science and technology and infrastructure, Dissanayake said China has always been a friend and reliable partner of Sri Lanka, and that Sri Lanka attached great importance to its relations with China.
Sri Lanka firmly respects the one-China principle and appreciates China’s invaluable support in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s independence, sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, Dissanayake said.
Sri Lanka is committed to strengthening regional connectivity through cooperation under the BRI and welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and do business in the country, Dissanayake said, adding that Sri Lanka was ready to strengthen cooperation with China in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, finance, poverty alleviation, digital transformation, tourism, maritime industry and staff training.
China plays a leading role in the Global South, as well as a constructive role in international affairs, he added. The Sri Lankan side is ready to continue strengthening coordination and mutual support with China at multilateral events to safeguard common interests, the President said.
At the end of their meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as cooperation within the framework of the BRI, agricultural products, social welfare , as well as information and broadcasting.
(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
