Chinese New Year to be celebrated in Sri Lanka

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Chinese New Year 2017 is to be celebrated in Sri Lanka on a grand scale, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said on Tuesday.

Chinese and Sri Lankan officials will see in the Year of Rooster with a cultural fair and film festival.

China and Sri Lanka are also preparing to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries this year, as well as the 65th anniversary of the signing of the "Rice and Rubber" pact between Sri Lanka and China.

School boys in traditional Sri Lankan costumes wait for their graduation ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Colombo on January 23, 2017. /CFP Photo ‍

The Cultural Attaché to the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, Liu Dong, said that several cultural events will be staged over the next couple of months in Sri Lanka to mark the New Year and the anniversary.

He said that a concert will be staged in Colombo next month with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena and other high ranking officials, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

"In the next 60 years, China-Sri Lanka relations will definitely be lifted to a new historical height," Liu Dong said at a media briefing.

CFP Photo

He said that no matter what took place in the international landscape or domestically, the relations between both countries have seen a healthy and dynamic development.

"The mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields has delivered tangible benefits to our two peoples," he said.

Liu Dong said that while the people to people relationship is expected to see a boost this year, on the political field high ranking visits are scheduled to take place between China and Sri Lanka.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)

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