China and Sri Lanka to enhance cooperation

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China is willing to enhance cooperation with Sri Lanka within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday.

Wang made the remarks in Beijing during talks with visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana.

Wang said China hopes to promote the friendship and political mutual trust with Sri Lanka, as well as major infrastructure projects, investment and trade, maritime and people-to-people cooperation under the framework of the initiative.

Wang also outlined the major achievements from the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

He said that China welcomes Sri Lanka to join in its opening up and development, and make joint efforts for a better future.

Marapana expressed his gratitude for China's long-term support for Sri Lanka's economic and social development.

After the meeting, the two sides exchanged letters of approval for a mutual legal assistance treaty.

60th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana (L) speaks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (not pictured) during their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, China on October 30, 2017. /Reuters Photo

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Sri Lanka.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Sri Lankan counterpart Maithripala Sirisena exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the occasion on February 7.

The Chinese government has assisted Sri Lanka through several infrastructure development projects such as the Port City project, the Southern Expressway project, irrigation projects and the OPD construction project of the Colombo National Hospital.

Friendship in 1952

Xinhua Photo

This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact between the two countries.

"China and Sri Lanka have always shared very cordial relations even before the start of their diplomatic ties and my grandfather knew China would be one of the world's most powerful nations some day," said Chathuka, the grandson of one of Sri Lanka's most popular politicians, R.G. Senanayake, who signed the pact in 1952.

In 1952, Sri Lanka was facing a severe shortage of rice and Senanayake, then minister of trade and commerce, made great efforts to secure the agreement which 65 years later is still spoken about and valued by both nations.

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