China and Sri Lanka issued a joint press communiqué in Beijing
Saturday at the end of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's
state visit to China.
The two sides agreed that in the 50 years since the
establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Sri Lanka relations
have enjoyed healthy and smooth growth, serving as a model of good
relations among small and big countries.
The two sides would make joint efforts to push forward their
all-round cooperation partnership of sincere mutual support and
ever-lasting friendship, the joint communiqué said.
The year 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic ties between the two countries and is designated as
"China-Sri Lanka friendship Year."
The joint communiqué said the two sides agreed to organize a
series of activities to further increase friendly exchange,
consolidate traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial
cooperation and promote the China-Sri Lanka all-round cooperative
partnership to an even higher level, including high level visit
indifferent areas of activities.
The communiqué said the Sri Lankan side reiterated its
consistent position that there is only one China in the world, that
the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal
government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an
inalienable part of the Chinese territory.
The two sides resolved to fight tirelessly against the three
evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism and will step up
consultation and coordinating on regional and international
counter-terrorism action.
It said the two sides agreed to consider practical steps during
the next session of the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic
Cooperation, including on encouraging Chinese trading companies to
be more involved in the purchase of Sri Lankan items.
The Chinese side expressed readiness to give positive
consideration to facilitating the financing of relevant projects
for infrastructure improvement and economic development, it
said.
The Sri Lankan side thanked the Chinese side for its support to
Sri Lanka's economic and social development over the years and its
generous assistance offered in the aftermath of tsunami.
The Chinese side expressed readiness to continue with its
assistance to the best of its ability and encourage greater market
access to Sri Lanka exports in China to reduce the present trade
deficit in Sri Lanka.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen the exchange and
cooperation in culture, tourism, education and other areas,
according to the joint communiqué.
They welcomed the establishment of the Confucius Center at
Kelaniya University in Sri Lanka and resolved to facilitate greater
student exchanges for the promotion of the Chinese and Sinhalese
languages in the two countries.
The Chinese side would provide 104 scholarships to Sri Lankan
students for the 2007-2008 academic year, the joint communiqué
said.
At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Rajapakse paid a state visit to
China from February 26 to March 4.
The communiqué reviewed that in a friendly atmosphere, the two
sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional
and international issues of mutual interest and reached broad
consensus.
The communiqué said Rajapakse invited Hu to visit Sri Lanka. Hu
expressed his willingness to visit Sri Lanka at a time of mutual
convenience.
China, Sri Lanka Sign 8 Documents
China and Sri Lanka have signed eight agreements and memorandums
of understanding (MOU) to enhance the bilateral cooperation in all
areas, according to a joint press communiqué issued in Beijing
Saturday.
Following are the series of documents signed during the visit of
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to China:
-- Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation Between the
Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of
the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
-- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of
Construction of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of
Urban Development and Sacred Area Development of the Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
-- Agreement between City of Guangzhou of the People's Republic
of China and District of Hambantota of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka on the Establishment of Friendship City
Relationship
-- Memorandum of Understanding on Two-Way Investment Promotion
Cooperation Between the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry
of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Board of
Investment of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
-- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Film
Industry between the Film Bureau of the State Administration of
Radio, Film and Television, the People's Republic of China and the
National Film Corporation, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri
Lanka
-- Memorandum of Understanding for the Donation of Eye Corneas
and Promotion of Cooperation, Exchanges, Technical and Technology
Transfer between the Red Cross Society of China and the Eye
Donation Society of Sri Lanka
-- Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinese Academy of
Agricultural Mechanization Sciences and Department of Agriculture
of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka
-- Memorandum of Understanding of Academic Exchange between
Beijing Foreign Studies University of the People's Republic of
China and University of Kelaniya of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka.
(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2007)