Lanka thanks China's help for development projects

Deputy Foreign Minister meets visiting delegation from China:

Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein A. Bhaila met the Chinese delegation led by Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province Zhon Shan on April 23 in Colombo. The delegation comprised six members from the Zhejiang Province.

Commenting on the longstanding bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China and Sri Lanka, the Deputy Minister said visits by delegations from China augmented the existing ties between the two countries.

The Deputy Minister expressed his appreciation about the multitude of development projects undertaken by the Government of China which contributed immensely towards the economic and social development of Sri Lanka.

The discussion between the Vice Governor and the Deputy Minister also focused on the trade and investment activities and the Deputy Minister stated that visits of this nature paved the way to build closer interactions among the people of the two countries and to identify areas of cooperation where both countries could benefit in the years to come.

The Deputy Minister was happy to note that the delegation had conducted meetings with the Prime Minister, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, officials of the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Deputy Mayor of Sri Jayewardenepura, in addition to the discussions the delegation had with the Foreign Minister.

Zhon Shan invited the Deputy Minister to visit the Zhejiang Province as a means of further strengthening the ties between the two countries, especially the ties between Zhejiang Province and Sri Lanka.