SL focuses on China’s support for investment, COVID fight

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe during their meeting yesterday

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe gesture during their meeting yesterday

• Chinese Defence Minister meets President, PM during 2-day visit 
• Talks with President “extremely fruitful” 
• PM thanks China for vaccination donation 
• Says looking for further China support in combating pandemic, building investor confidence 
• China pledges RMB 50 m military assistance 

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe, who is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka, yesterday held bilateral talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as Sri Lanka looks to additional China support to combat COVID-19 and attract investments.     

The official meeting between Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was held at the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. China has also pledged to provide RMB 50 million in military assistance grants to Sri Lanka. 

The Chinese Defence Minister who arrived at the Presidential Secretariat was received by Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and Foreign Secretary (retired) Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage.

The Chinese Defence Minister said the bilateral discussions held with the President were extremely fruitful. He also said the relations between the two nations were further strengthened by this visit.

Fenghe also placed a note on the Book for Special Guests to mark the meeting with the President.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Deputy Chief of staff of Joint Staff Department under the China’s Central Military Commission Lieutenant General Shao Yuanming, Major General Ci Guowei and Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundara participated in the discussion.

The Chinese Defence Minister subsequently met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. During the meeting the Prime Minister appreciated China for donating 600,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Sri Lanka to help the fight the pandemic situation. 

“We look forward to China’s continued support in dealing with this crisis,” he said further.

The Premier explained that, despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Sri Lankan Government had decided not to pursue countrywide lockdowns due to the impact such lockdowns had on the island’s economy and society.

“There is still a lot that needs to be done for post-pandemic economic recovery,” PM Rajapaksa said noting that one of the Government’s main priorities in this effort was to attract investments from around the world. Sri Lanka looks forward to China’s support in rebuilding investor confidence in the island, the Premier told the Chinese Defence Minister. 

The Prime Minister conveyed his warm wishes on the 100th year anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party this year and for all its achievements.

“China has uplifted nearly 100 million rural residents out of absolute poverty and you have accomplished these 10 years in advance of the completion of the UN Sustainable Development Goal in poverty alleviation. This is an impressive achievement,” Rajapaksa added.