Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Wednesday, 12 September 2012 01:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Uditha Jayasinghe
Over 10 agreements are to be signed during top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo’s visit to Sri Lanka that will kick off later this week, a top official said yesterday.
Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo’s visit will be the most high profile diplomatic exchange between the two countries in recent times, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao told a press conference.
Describing the agreements as promoting “extensive economic cooperation” and consular affairs between the two countries, he nonetheless declined to give details on exactly what the agreements would contain as they are not finalised yet.
During Wu’s visit, which kicks off on 15 September, he is expected to hold discussions with a large number of Government officials including President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. However there are no meetings scheduled with any opposition parties as yet.
Wu, who will be accompanied by a large delegation of around 100, will tour key sites of Sri Lanka-China cooperation.
“The delegation will include a business delegation as the visit is targeted at comprehensive promotion of diplomatic relations including investment,” the Chinese Ambassador said.
Wu’s visit comes after an invitation was extended by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa during a visit to China in
June.
“Even though Sri Lanka and China have had diplomatic exchanges for 55 years, the current relationship is the best in history. The increasing number of diplomatic visits within a short period of time as well as the size of the latest delegation shows the importance that China assigns to this island,” he added.
This will be the second high profile visit from China in three weeks after Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie visited Sri Lanka on 29 August for a five-day tour.
