Chinese Defence Minister meets President
A high level delegation led by State Councillor and Minister of
National Defence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) General Liang
Guanglie yesterday called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple
Trees. Speaking on the occasion, President Mahinda Rajapaksa thanked the
government and the people of China for standing by Sri Lanka when it was
facing various challenges internationally.
He was of the view that the visit of Chinese Defence Minister and his
delegation symbolized the close and cordial relations between the two
nations.
The President on behalf of the government and the people of Sri Lanka
thanked China for extending cooperation in the fields of economy and
culture.
The visiting Defence Minister said that China is ready to provide
every assistance to Sri Lanka and strengthen centuries old ties between
the two countries.
Earlier in the day, the visiting Chinese General was accorded a Guard
of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army soon after he was received by External
Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris at the Defence Ministry Grounds in
the company of Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Roshan
Gunathilake and Tri-service Commanders. General Guanglie, who assumed
the office of State Councillor and Minister of National Defence in the
People's Republic of China (PRC) in March 2007, has served in many
distinguished appointments in the Chinese military.
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