'Sri Lanka, China ties will continue to grow'

The close cooperation, respect and friendship between Sri Lanka and China will continue to grow as Sri Lanka builds on the foundations of peace to achieve prosperity for its people through economic transformation in which China remains a trusted development partner, Defence Ministry and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.

The Defence Secretary was speaking as the guest of honour at 'Refreshingly Sri Lanka', a Sri Lanka cultural evening and gala dinner organised by the embassy of Sri Lanka in China to celebrate Sri Lanka's 64th independence anniversary and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China on March 5 at China World Hotel in Beijing.

He also emphasised the warm and deep appreciation of the Sri Lankan government for the firm and consistent support of the Chinese government in safeguarding Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly at international fora.

The Chinese government was represented by China's Industrial and Information Technology Minister Miao Wei and China's Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Fu Ying.

Minister Miao Wei said that Sri Lanka has realized domestic peace and the post-war reconstruction is progressing steadily, while accelerated economic development has improved the livelihood of the people.

"China as the friendly neighbour, feels happy about these developments. China believes that under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the country will make steady progress. China will continue to provide assistance to help the economic and social development of Sri Lanka," the minister said.

Miao Wei was confident that the friendship between Sri Lanka and China would last forever.

Delivering the welcome speech, Sri Lankan ambassador to China Ranjith Uyangoda said that when diplomatic relations between the two countries were formalized in 1957, Sri Lanka and China had already inherited a centuries old relationship with numerous exchanges between the two countries in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.

"Sri Lanka and China had even entered into bilateral agreements prior to the formalization of the relations and one such agreement was the rubber rice pact which was signed in 1952. Since the formalisation of relations in 1957, there has been steady progress in many areas of cooperation between the two countries including people to people contacts," he said.

China has remained a close friend of Sri Lanka with excellent bilateral relations based on mutual respect, trust and understanding, the ambassador said.

Uyangoda also highlighted the fact that in the recent past, the relations have been further strengthened under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chinese President Hu Jintao who have taken the relations to an unprecedented height.

China today has become the largest development partner of Sri Lanka while trade between the two countries has increased by 152 percent and tourism by 47 percent when compared with 2010, he added.

The ambassador said that the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations was being celebrated on a positive note with confidence that the relations will be even better and stronger in generations to come.

The event was held at China World Hotel, a Shangri-La Hotel that has now become a development partner of Sri Lanka and promoted the many facets that Sri Lanka has to offer including Sri Lankan gems and jewelry, culture and customs, Sri Lankan cuisine and tourism.

Two chefs from Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy were brought to Beijing by the Sri Lankan embassy for the event. The evening also included cultural performances by Sri Lankan dancers from the Channa - Upuli Performing Arts Foundation of Sri Lanka and the June 1st Primary School in Beijing that has a sister school relationship with Royal school in Colombo.

Three winners of the raffle draw were given the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka with Srilankan Airlines offering three return air tickets with accommodation in Sri Lanka.

The event was organised in collaboration with a large number of Chinese companies and well - wishers and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka National Gem and Jewellry Authority, Sri Lanka Tea Board and SriLankan Airlines.

A gathering of over 600 guests including ambassadors in China, senior Chinese government officials, heads of government departments and travel and trade associations, heads of business and investment companies and well-wishers participated.

As part of the celebrations for the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China, the embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing has also organized with the Beijing Friendship Association for Foreign Countries and Association for Sri Lanka - China Social and Cultural Co-operation, a photo exhibition depicting the history of the relations between the two countries from March 8.

The embassy has also organized with three magazines, Embassy News, Lookwe Magazine and The International Business Daily, which is published by China's Commerce Ministry, to have special editions exclusively dedicated to Sri Lanka for this occasion.

The embassy together with China World Hotel, organized a week-long Sri Lanka food festival.