Let Lanka tackle its issues - China
Suharshi Perera in Beijing
China firmly believes that the Sri Lankan Government and its people
should be allowed to tackle its internal affairs and the international
community can make concrete efforts to improve the humanitarian
condition of the country, Assistant Foreign Minister of China Hu
Zhengyue said. However, China will continue to support Sri Lanka in
bringing in stability, peace and development,he said.
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Hu Zhengyue |
The Chinese Assistant Minister was addressing the press delegates of
South Asian countries at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of China, Beijing,
yesterday.
“We do not interfere in the internal matters of Sri Lanka as peaceful
coexistence, sovereignty and territorial intergrity are key ideas in the
China’s foreign policy on South Asia. However, China will stand by the
Sri Lankan Government in its future endevours in creating peace,” the
Assistant Minister who is also the in-charge of the South Asian Foreign
Affairs said.
China recognises the biggest challenge encountered by the South Asian
region is fighting terrorism. Therefore, it believes that South Asia
makes substantial efforts to fight terrorism, he added.
The Assistant Minister told the Daily News that China has assisted
Sri Lanka in resettling the IDPs by granting US$ one million and other
forms of assistance.
“In addition to resettling, the Sri Lankan Government needs to focus
on the national reconciliation and current development,” he said.
“Sri Lanka has been a longstanding friend of China, dating back to
1950s. China has been sympathetic with Sri Lankan people. We will extend
greater cooperation in trade and economy,” he said.
China has already undertaken major development and infrastructure
projects in Sri Lanka and it will be strengthened further, he added.
Referring to the global economic recession he further added that
China along with the South Asian countries should work in cooperation to
overcome the situation.
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