China, a partner and friend of Sri Lanka

Senior Adviser to the President and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said China is a true friend of Sri Lanka and thanked the Chinese government and people for the generous support it extended to the country throughout the difficult and good periods in the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

Minister Rajapaksa was speaking when new Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao paid a courtesy call on him to discuss economic and trade cooperation between China and Sri Lanka at the Ministry of Economic Development recently.

Minister Rajapaksa said China always worked as a partner and didn't interfere in the country' internal affairs. China didn't bring unnecessary pressure on Sri Lanka but always stood for Sri Lanka in the international arena.

"Immediately after the end of terrorism, China helped Sri Lanka initiate new, big development projects. That was the first move for post conflict economic development.

"The BMICH, Supreme Court Complex and Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Performing Arts Complex, stand as monuments of the friendship between the two countries.

"China was involved with many development projects in Sri Lanka with her own funds extended to Sri Lanka as development assistance but some projects were offered to China as a result of international bidding," he said.

Chinese ambassador Wu Jianghao said China will never forget the help extended by Sri Lanka on some critical occasions.

"The relationship between the two countries started 1,600 years ago has strengthened since then day by day. Sri Lanka signed the Rubber- Rice Pact when other countries had stopped selling rubber to China.

The minister and the ambassador reviewed the present status of trade and economic relations. Ambassador Wu Jianghao suggested that a comprehensive plan on economic cooperation between the two countries be prepared to be signed by the leaders of the two countries.

He said many Chinese investors are interested in investing in Sri Lanka and establishing trade and commercial ventures.

Minister Rajapaksa and Ambassador Wu Jianghao agreed to have Sri Lankan Days in Beijing, Shanghai and Canton and carry out an awareness drive on tourism, investment and commodities ,such as, tea and spices.

Pharmaceutical, apparel and textile industry, tourism, real estate development and food security systems are some of the fields identified for Chinese investment at the discussion.

Ambassador Jianghao invited Minister Rajapksa to visit China with a trade and economic delegation and promised to arrange a visit by Chinese investors and traders to Sri Lanka, since many Chinese entrepreneurs express their interest in investment in Sri Lanka.