Talks with Chinese leaders today

President's visit to China begins :

Ranil Wijayapala in Beijing

BEIJING: President Mahinda Rajapaksa will start bilateral talks with the Chinese Government leaders today as he officially starts his State visit in China on the invitation extended by Chinese President Hu Jintao to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The Chinese Government is due to accord State honours to the visiting Sri Lankan President this evening at the Great Hall of the People.

President Rajapaksa will also have bilateral talks with Minister of State Security Xu Yong Yue at the Diaoyutai State Guest House.

President Rajapaksa will also donate a replica of the Samadhi Buddha statue to the Lingguang Temple venerated by Chinese Buddhists. Several key MoUs will also due to be signed today between the two countries.

The longstanding friendship between China and Sri Lanka was further strengthened yesterday with President Rajapaksa making special donations to the Chinese people. The first was the donation of corneas to the Chinese Red Cross Society and the second, the donation of baby elephant 'Migara' to Beijing zoo.

The Chinese people expressed their gratitude to the people in Sri Lanka as President Rajapaksa made a symbolic presentation of corneas to the Red Cross Society of China as his first official function in China during his six day State visit.

"The donation of corneas, which will help restore eyesight of patients suffering from eye diseases, is a noble humanitarian deed which represents Sri Lankans' friendly feelings towards the Chinese people," Peng Peiyun the President of the Red Cross Society of China said.

The donation of corneas to the Red Cross Society of China took place yesterday at the Diaoyutai State Guest House where the Presidential delegation is accommodated in the Beijing city centre.

President Rajapaksa said it was a great honour for him to participate in a noble meritorious deed as his first official function in China to mark the 50th anniversary of the Sri Lanka China bilateral relationship. The President said China will be the 58th country to benefit by the eye donations as people from 177 cities in 57 countries are already seeing with Sri Lankan eyes.