China and Sri Lanka agree to deepen friendship, promote cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing, with the two sides agreeing to deepen friendship and promote greater cooperation.

Noting that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka enjoys a long history and that the two peoples share a natural affinity, Xi said consolidating and promoting China-Sri Lanka relations serves the fundamental interests and reflects the common expectations of the two peoples.

Xi said China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is characterized by "independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support," to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

He said China and Sri Lanka should join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship.

China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and exploring the path of modernization in line with the country's national conditions, Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka's economic and social development to the best of its ability.

He urged joint efforts to deepen cooperation in logistics, energy and industry and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of the digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture and tourism and marine economy.

China is willing to continue to expand imports of Sri Lankan specialty and high-quality products, Xi told Gunawardena. China will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and hopes that the Sri Lankan side will provide a fair and transparent business environment for them, he said.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka in rural poverty alleviation and help Sri Lanka realize economic transformation, upgrading and sustainable development, Xi continued.

He also called on the two sides to further promote the five principles of peaceful coexistence, strengthen collaboration in international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of China and Sri Lanka and international justice, and promote the building of a global community with a shared future.

Prime Minister Gunawardena, for his part, said Sri Lanka unambiguously adheres to the one-China principle, unambiguously pursues a policy of friendship and cooperation with China and has always prioritized China in its foreign relations.

He said the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi have injected new impetus and positive energy into world peace and development, adding that Sri Lanka will actively support and participate in these initiatives.

Gunawardena also said Sri Lanka is keen to deepen friendly relations, promote building the Belt and Road Initiative and expand cooperation in the economy, education and poverty alleviation.