China seeks to take ties with Lanka to new height with PM’s visit

Beijing: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will pay an official visit to China from 6 to 9 April at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council, the Foreign Ministry of China announced yesterday.

During Wickremesinghe’s visit, Chinese leaders will meet and hold talks with him, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said at the regular press briefing Thursday.

The Spokesperson said the bilateral relations have been moving forward and the two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

“China and Sri Lanka are traditional friendly neighbors. Our two peoples feel deep amity towards each other. Founded on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutually-beneficial cooperation, bilateral relations have been moving forward with a sound momentum.”



“We commend the Government of Sri Lanka for its positive policies towards China and would like to take this visit as an opportunity to consolidate traditional friendship, promote practical cooperation, and elevate China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincerity, mutual assistance and long-lasting friendship to a new height,” Hong said.