President fetes new President of China

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday extended his congratulations to the new President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping after he was formally appointed to the highest office of the country.

Conveying his felicitations, on behalf of the people and the government of Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa said he believed Jinping's vast and impressive experience in the regional and national political arena would assist him in guiding China's economy in the direction of rapid progress.

"The confidence placed in your leadership and ability to steer your great country in the path of continued economic development and social progress is manifested in your appointment to the highest office," President Rajapaksa said. The President noted that during the tenure of the new President of China, the excellent bilateral relations between China and Sri Lanka would further strengthen and reach new heights.