China reaffirms solidarity and support to Sri Lanka

Thursday, 16 January 2020 01:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Chinese Foreign Minister & State Councilor Wang Yi met with the Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena thanks Chinese counterpart
Stresses importance of FDIs, cooperation on security, education, tourism
Chinese Foreign Minister looks forward to President Rajapaksa’s visit to Beijing

China on Tuesday reiterated its solidarity and support to the new Government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

This assurance was expressed by Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi when he met with Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena.

The Chinese Foreign Minister was accompanied by Ambassador Wu Jianghao, the Director General of the Asia Department, and senior officials from Beijing. Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and senior officials of the Ministry were associated in the talks.

According to the press release, Foreign Minister Wang Yi was welcomed by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who thanked China for its consistent contribution to Sri Lanka’s development process, as well as their support at numerous regional and international fora, including the Human Rights Council.

Gunawardena also underlined the importance of China’s engagement in Sri Lanka’s pursuit of developing important infrastructure, encouraging foreign direct investment and cooperation in the spheres of security, education, and tourism.

Appraising the achievements of the Strategic Cooperative Partnership that both countries embarked on in 2013, both parties expressed hope that they should strive to take advantage of the conductive climate that had emerged under the new administration in Sri Lanka.

Minister Wang Yi said they look forward to the visit of President Rajapaksa early.

Minister Wang had calls on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during his stay in Sri Lanka.

Both Ministers expressed optimism that the State visit envisaged would provide fresh impetus to discover pragmatic strategies to steer cooperation forward.