Wednesday, 24th September 2014
Chaminda Perera
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao yesterday said China and Sri Lanka will strive to implement the consensus reached by the two countries during the historical visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Sri Lanka to bring more benefits to the peoples of both countries.
The Chinese Ambassador said that the ancient Chinese Silk Route is refreshing and opening up new channels.
“The Chinese Dream is connected with Mahinda Chinthana and with joint efforts we will realize both, the envoy added.
The Chinese Ambassador in Colombo was speaking at a reception to mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel yesterday. Senior Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera represented the government of Sri Lanka on this occasion. Ambassador Wu Jianghao said the two Presidents of Sri Lanka and China joined hands to promote Sino Lanka strategic cooperative partnership for a solid and indepth development.
The two countries inked 27 agreements, including an action plan on deepening the strategic cooperative partnership between China and Sri Lanka, he said.
He said that leaders of China and Sri Lanka announced the initiation China - Sri Lanka Free Trade negotiations too.
The envoy added that cooperation between the two nations is at peak level with Chinese tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka growing at a rate of 140 percent.
“High level visits are frequent and cooperation in all areas is developing rapidly,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, Senior Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera said the recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping marks an important milestone in the historical relations between the two countries.
He said the ties between the two nations go back centuries and the signing of agreements covering economic social and cultural fields and the inauguration of a number of projects, including the Colombo Port City symoblises the sound bilateral relations.
He said that China has always stood by Sri Lanka in times of need and Sri Lanka has been pursuing the One China Policy which is consistent with the Sri Lankas foreign policy for decades.
Ministers Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake were also present.
