Chinese leaders and visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Tuesday agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation.

At his meeting with Wickremesinghe, President Hu Jintao said the Chinese government and people cherish their traditional friendly cooperation with Sri Lanka and are ready to write a new chapter of the traditional friendship in the new century with Sri Lanka.

China appreciates the Sri Lankan government's firm support on the Taiwan question, Hu was quoted by a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying.

The Sri Lankan government acknowledged in 1950 that the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate governing body of China and the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1957.

Wickremesinghe was quoted by the spokesman as saying that his government will not change its position.

Referring to the Sri Lankan peace process, Hu said China hopes South Asia maintains peace and stability and supports all efforts to relieve tension and safeguard peace in this region.

Top legislator Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress, yesterday pledged to enhance parliamentary exchanges with Sri Lanka to further push bilateral ties.

Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is willing to strengthen cooperation with China for common progress.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, yesterday also met Wickremesinghe.

Jia said the two countries should expand cooperation in trade and economy, culture and tourism.

Wickremesinghe echoed Jia by saying that China and Sri Lanka also have potential for cooperation in culture, religion, tourism and sports.

During Wickremesinghe' visit, the two sides agreed to promote and facilitate economic and technical cooperation between the two countries' private sectors. More than 50 Sri Lankan businessmen attended Monday's China-Sri Lanka Trade Investment and Tourism Promotion Seminar and met their Chinese counterparts.

(China Daily August 13, 2003)