China looks forward to PM’s visit

Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama (centre) and Minister of Southern Development and Law and Order Sagala Ratnayaka with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin, special envoy for Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s forthcoming visit to Beijing is being eagerly awaited by the Chinese leadership as a timely opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations.

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin assured Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama and Minister of Southern Development and Law and Order Sagala Ratnayaka that Chinese authorities are committed to achieving significant outcomes from the PM’s visit next month.

The meeting among the ministers in Beijing focused on the PM’s visit and economic issues of mutual interest.

The Chinese authorities are looking forward to welcoming Wickremesinghe on his second visit to Beijing as Prime Minister, following a previous trip in 2003. He will be hosted by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.  The Sri Lankan premier will also meet with President Xi Jinping.

It is expected a Joint Statement would be issued at the end of the visit summarising the issues covered. These are likely to include cooperation documents involving China’s assistance to Sri Lanka such as the support to build a kidney hospital as well as assurance related to China’s Maritime Silk Route Initiative.

Parallel events are also being planned to promote Investment, Trade and Tourism during the PM’s visit.

Minister Samarawickrama also briefed Vice Minister Zhenmin on the acceleration of on-going Chinese projects in Sri Lanka and the government’s development plans which offer considerable opportunities for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), including from China. The scope for bilateral co-operation was also explored, particularly for catalysing infrastructure investments.

Minister Ratnayaka briefed the Chinese Vice Minister on specific opportunities in the southern province.

The Chinese minister recognised the strength of the time honoured friendship between the two countries and looked forward to strengthening further the bilateral relationship. He also indicated both the Parties in the current coalition government in Sri Lanka were friends of China.

He looked forward to the co-operation between the two parties, delivering beneficial outcomes for the people of Sri Lanka