SL-China sign 16 agreements

Tuesday, 18 September 2012 01:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka and China inked 16 agreements yesterday in a move that will solidify already strong relations.

Xinhua News reported that China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo together with his 150-strong delegation singed the agreements when they met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

However no details were given of what the agreements contained though photos released by the President’s media show several officials including External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and Ports Authority Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama signing the documents.

Wu was quoted as saying that “China-Sri Lanka relations are now at the best period of development in history,” and assured that China would continue to provide aid within its capacity for Sri Lanka’s development.

On the economic front, Wu said China and Sri Lanka have in recent years witnessed sustained growth in bilateral trade volume, and have made smooth progress on such infrastructure projects as the second phase of the Hambantota Port, a container terminal at the Colombo Port and a coal-fired power plant in Puttalam.

As they continue to push ahead major cooperative projects, China and Sri Lanka should sum up their experience and tap potentials for new areas of cooperation, said Wu.

Wu suggested the two sides adjust trade structure and expand trade scale, saying China will take measures to export more from Sri Lanka and step up cooperation with Sri Lanka on investment and tourism.

The two countries should also enhance cooperation on areas such as maritime research, climate change, disaster relief as well as animal husbandry, agricultural products processing and biomass energy, said Wu.

Rajapaksa, for his part, said Sri Lanka now has great demand for infrastructure construction and personnel training, as the country is striving for rapid growth, and it welcomes more Chinese firms to invest and participate in the construction of railway, port and power station.

During their meeting, Wu and Rajapaksa also exchanged views on international and regional issues.

Rajapaksa expressed appreciation for the important role China has played on regional and international affairs, saying Sri Lanka would enhance communication and coordination with China within the multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations, the ASEAN regional forum and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.