Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is currently on an official visit to China, called on Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall in Beijing today (Mar 27).
According to the PM’s Office, both countries agreed to continue to act under the friendship, peace, mutual respect and fivefold principle in international affairs that do not interfere in the internal affairs of a country.
It was emphasized that bilateral relations should be based on mutual respect and mutual productivity between the countries, and acting according to that policy would set a good example for both countries.
The Chinese President also assured that China will support the schemes necessary for the development of Sri Lanka as soon as they are presented.
President Xi Jinping assured continuous support of China to Sri Lanka’s efforts for political and socioeconomic progress. He further said that China will always stand for safeguarding the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
During the discussion which lasted for almost an hour, the Chinese President also thanked the Prime Minister’s father’s ancestry for their support to China. He stated that the party representing the Prime Minister and other parties in Sri Lanka hope to further increase cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party.
Responding, the Prime Minister thanked the Chinese President for the assistance provided during the unprecedented economic crisis and for extending debt restructuring facilities. He explained the progress in the implementation of decisions taken during the visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to China.
PM Gunawardena further thanked President Xi Jinping for the support extended to sectors such as school education, agriculture, health, technology, culture and religion.
State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe and Ashoka Priyantha, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake and senior officials also participated in the discussion. (NewsWire)
