Sino-Sri Lanka relations reach new heights

THE following official joint communique was issued at the end of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's State visit to China last week.

"The President of China expressed deep condolences on the brutal assassination of the Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The two sides expressed their strong condemnation of the act of terrorism.

They resolved to relentlessly fight against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism and to consult and co-ordinate on regional and international action being taken to prevent such terrorist acts.

"The two sides observed that the commencement of direct air links between their capitals had contributed to the increase of travel including tourist traffic between the two countries.

Discussions will be pursued on possibilities of collaboration between Chinese Airlines and SriLankan Airlines.

They welcomed understandings between the tourist administration institutions of the two countries to encourage and support beneficial contacts and exchanges between their respective airlines, travel agencies, hotels and others in the tourist industries, and to promote collaboration through investment in the tourist sector.

The Chinese side will welcome and facilitate promotional campaigns in the Chinese media by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

"The two countries discussed the situation in the Asian Region. They stressed the need for conditions of peace and stability and closer cooperation among Asian states to enable the development of the region.

The Sri Lanka side welcomed the efforts made by China for the Six Party Talks aimed at denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The two sides welcomed strengthening of ties between China and South Asian States following exchange of high level political and other visits and discussed the possibilities of institutional links between SAARC and China.

In discussions on the forthcoming 60th Session of the United Nations, in which both Presidents are scheduled to participate, it was agreed that reform of the Organization should be effected on the basis of the widest possible consensus of the entire International community including the developing countries.

Sri Lanka and China agreed to continue consultations on all issues of mutual concern in international fora including on practical action towards realization of the Millennium Development Goals, human rights and anti-terrorism.

The two sides reiterated their view that the next Secretary General of the United Nations should be a representative of the Asian Region.

In accordance with the Protocol on Bilateral Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries, consultations would take place through diplomatic channels on the date for its next meeting.

The following Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the visit:

I. Agreement of Cultural Cooperation Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

II. Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

III. Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Tourism of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

IV. Exchange of Note on the Establishment of Consulate in Shanghai between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

V. Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Establishment of Confucius Institute in Sri Lanka between the Ministry of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Education of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

VI. General Agreement Regarding Utilization of the Preferential Buyer's Credit from the Government of the Republic of China to the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka between the Export-Import Bank of China and the Ministry of Finance and Planning of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

VII. Design Contract on the National Performing Arts Theatre of Sri Lanka.

VIII. Memorandum of Understanding for Puttalam Coal Power Plant Project in Sri Lanka between China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation and Ceylon Electricity Board of Sri Lanka.

The President of Sri Lanka expressed her deep gratitude for the warm and friendly hospitality accorded to her and the Sri Lanka delegation by the Government and people of the People's Republic of China.

The President of Sri Lanka invited the President of the People's Republic of China to visit Sri Lanka. President Hu Jintao accepted the invitation with thanks and expressed his willingness to pay a state visit to Sri Lanka at a time of mutual convenience."