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| Monday, 15 November 2004 |
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Chinese delegation to provide more schols, explore oil and gas State Councillor of the People's Republic of China, Chen Zhili paid a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka from November 11 to 14 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. She was accompanied by the Deputy Secretary General of the State Council, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and several other senior officials. The State Council, the apex body of the State Administration of China is chaired by the Prime Minister and comprises the four Vice Prime Ministers and five State Councillors of whom Madam Zhili is one. She is in-charge of education, culture and science. Zhili and her delegation called on Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on November 13 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A discussion covered a range of bilateral issues including requests made by Foreign Minister Kadirgamar for assistance on a number of matters. It was decided that the Foreign Ministry would submit proposals for more scholarships for ministry officials to learn Chinese establishment of two language laboratories in one university and teaching of Chinese tour guides in anticipation of increased tourist arrivals from next year and postgraduate scholarships in Science and Technology in the English medium. Zhili also referred to the possibilities of Chinese participation in oil and gas exploration, the construction of express highways and the development of the mobile telecommunication sector. Foreign Minister Kadirgamar also referred to his intention to establish a permanent centre for the study of Sri Lanka-China relations at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) and the institution of an annual lecture under the auspices of the BCIS in memory of the late Prime Minister Chou en Lai to be delivered by eminent persons from China. He also suggested that consideration be given to the possibilities of two busts sculpted in China of Mao Tse Tung and Chou en Lai being located in the BMICH building and the BCIS building respectively. Zhili said that she would be more than happy to accede to these requests in view of the close and friendly relations between the two countries. She visited the BMICH and the BCIS and also toured the National Museum in Colombo. She also went to Kandy where she visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens where she watered the tree planted by the late Prime Minister Chou en Lai in 1976. Zhili also paid a courtesy call on President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. |
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