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Monday, 6 November 2017 01:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana met with his Chinese counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi on 30 October. The cordial discussions between the two ministers focused on longstanding China-Sri Lanka relations, and hopes for future strengthening of cooperation and friendship.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana shake hands after signing an agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing - AFP
Foreign Minister Marapana is currently in Beijing, from 30 October to 3 November at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, to attend the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of diplomatic relations and 65th Anniversary of economic relations between Sri Lanka and China.
At their meeting, the two Ministers remarked positively on the two key anniversaries, which they saw as an indication of the strong and traditional friendship between the two countries, and a good foundation for continued growth in the future. In this regard, both Ministers recalled the frequent high-level visits exchanged between the two countries in the recent past as a strong indicator of the high place that each country gives to the other in their international relations.
On strengthening the relations between the two nations in the future, Foreign Minister Wang Yi recalled the importance of the One Belt, One Road initiative (OBOR), and its status as a framework for future cooperation, and highlighted five areas for future bilateral growth between China and Sri Lanka. These areas included; the strengthening of traditional friendship and political trust, cooperation on major projects, traditional trade and investment cooperation, maritime cooperation, and people to people exchanges.
Foreign Minister Marapana thanked his Chinese counterpart for the invitation extended to him to take part in the celebrations, and expressed Sri Lanka’s willingness to further cooperate with China in the fields of maritime and economic cooperation. He also confirmed Sri Lanka’s participation at the forthcoming Expo 2018. Further, the Minister appreciated the assistance provided by China to Sri Lanka during natural disasters. Foreign Minister Marapana identified the importance of facilitating the exchange of cultural troupes to enhance the cultural bonds of both nations. Following the bilateral meeting, the two Ministers signed the Certificate for the Exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty between China and Sri Lanka on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
The Foreign Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, Shani Karunaratne, Deputy Chief of Mission, Ruwanthi Ariyarathne, Commercial Counsellor, Inoka Weerasinghe, Third Secretary, Sameera Dayasekera, Assistant Director and Janaka Marapana, Private Secretary to the Minister.
