China says Ranil committed to tackling practical difficulties of mega-projects cooperation

Friday, 16 March 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

China yesterday said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has committed to tackling the practical difficulties of mega cooperation between both China and Sri Lanka.

This assurance was provided by Wickremesinghe when Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan held a working consultation with him at Temple Tree on 14 March.

“Both sides reviewed the current progress of bilateral economic and trade cooperation and vowed to further promote pragmatic cooperation,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.

It said Ambassador Cheng highlighted bilateral economic and trade relations, especially major-projects cooperation as the ballast stone of Sino-Sri Lanka relations. In order to strive for early harvest and bring tangible benefit to the two peoples, China stands ready to work with the Sri Lankan side to accelerate the implementation of major-projects cooperation under the framework of the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative.

During the meeting, Ambassador Cheng elaborated on current progress together with the difficulties of the mega-projects cooperation between the two countries and called upon the Sri Lankan Government to push for practical solutions.

The Prime Minister thanked China for its long-term support of Sri Lanka’s economic and social development and hoped that China’s assistance and aid would benefit more people at the grassroots level.

The Prime Minister emphasised that Sri Lanka attaches great importance to mega-projects cooperation between China and Sri Lanka and his commitment to tackle the practical difficulties listed by the Chinese side.

Temple Trees will urge the ministerial committee on Hambantota development and the Ministry of Southern Development to coordinate with the relevant departments to speed up the implementation of pragmatic cooperation such as the development of the Hambantota Port and industrial zone, so as to bring real benefit to the Sri Lankan people at an early date.

Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy Yang Zuoyuan and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka participated in this meeting.