China will assist Lanka when needed - Chinese PM
Govt’s ability to complete H’tota Port first phase praised:
Talks on increasing flights between two countries:
China is committed to strengthening the friendship with Sri Lanka and
will extend its fullest support in all necessary situations to Sri Lanka
in international fora, said Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
He said this during a bilateral meeting with President Mahinda
Rajapaksa at the Prime Minister’s residence in Beijing yesterday.
Expressing his gratitude for the Chinese assistance for the number of
ongoing projects in Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa apprised the Chinese
Prime Minister about the post-conflict developments in the country and
the government’s commitment to carry out major infrastructure
development to ensure balanced economic progress in all regions.
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao praised the government’s ability to
complete the first phase of the Hambantota port and said his government
is willing to provide financial assistance for the construction of the
second phase of the port. President Rajapaksa and the Chinese Prime
Minister also discussed the Norochcholai power plant constructed with
Chinese aid and ways and means to increase the number of flights between
the capitals of the two countries.
Much to learn from China on path to economic progress – President
“When considering the relationship between economic development and
social equality, it is clear that the former should be achieved by
seeking better understanding between the cultures and traditions of the
people of a country and their future expectations. I believe we can
learn much from China in this regard,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa
yesterday when he was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Beijing Foreign
Studies University.
The citation of the Doctorate stated that it was awarded for
fostering peace and reconciliation within the country and the world,
creating an environment in which all the communities can live in harmony
and strengthening friendship and understanding between Sri Lanka and
China.
The President acclaimed the contribution made by China as a dominant
economic power to the development of many countries including Sri Lanka.
“China is also engaged in considerable work on infrastructure
development in many parts of the country, that contribute to the rapid
economic development that we seek to achieve after the successful defeat
of terrorism,” he said.
“I must also record here the deep gratitude of the people of Sri
Lanka to China for their commitment to support Sri Lanka in the battle
against terrorism that we concluded with success; and for the assistance
given for reconstruction and resettlement in the former conflict zone in
our country,” the President added. He elaborated on the long links that
have existed between Sri Lanka and China which date back to the 4th
Century.
Having mentioned the development of the relations between the two
countries which were influenced by Buddhism and East-West trade,
President Rajapaksa noted the significance of the Rubber-Rice Pact in
1952 that resulted in a great boost.
“It is worth recalling that Sri Lanka signed this pact despite much
opposition from our former colonial rulers and the countries of the West
that were opposed to the People’s Republic of China,” he added.
Later, the newly built Sri Lanka Research Centre at Beijing Foreign
Studies University was opened by President Rajapaksa. He was also
conferred the honorary lifetime presidency of the Research Centre by
Chancellor of the University Prof Chen Yulu.
The measures taken by President Rajapaksa are instrumental not only
in improving the standard of education in China and Sri Lanka, but also
creating world peace, Prof Yulu said. The President met the Chinese
students studying Sinhala language at the university. He also planted a
tree within the university premises as a token of the friendship between
China and Sri Lanka.
The event was attended by External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris,
Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake, Secretary to the President
Lalith Weeratunga and MP Sajin Vas Gunawardena.
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