State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan successfully concluded his official
visit to Sri Lanka on Thursday, with both sides committed to
pushing forward all-round and cooperative partnership.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse held talks with Tang on
Wednesday, covering an in-depth exchange of views on all aspects of
China-Sri Lanka relations and on regional and international issues
of common concern.
During their talks, Rajapakse said that the two countries
enjoyed long-term friendliness and Sri Lanka's new government will
continue to carry out friendly policy toward China and dedicate to
the all-round cooperation.
Rajapakse welcomed the visit of the state councilor as a
reaffirmation of the close and friendly relations between the two
countries.
Tang said that the Chinese government will continue to further
develop all-round cooperation with the Sri Lankan government in the
fields of mutual interest.
Rajapakse thanked the Chinese government for its sincere help to
Sri Lanka in a long period, especially after the country was hit by
the tsunami in 2004.
He hoped that the two countries would expand cooperation in such
fields as trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and
tourism.
Tang said that the two sides should fully implement the
Hambantota Port Development Project, Norochcholai Coal Power
Project and other large-scale cooperative programs already agreed
by the two sides.
He said that China will repair Sri Lanka's fishery docks damaged
by the tsunami at a faster speed, adding that China will provide
assistance to Sri Lanka for the 10th South Asian Games.
Rajapakse stressed that the Sri Lankan government firmly pursues
the one-China policy and opposes secession activities of whatever
form.
He said that Sri Lanka will continue to support China on the
Tibet issue.
Tang said China welcomed the resumption of peace talks between
the Sri Lankan government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam.
He hoped the peace process would continue and the political
negotiation would lead to the peaceful solution of the country's
ethnic issue, resulting in the improvement of its economy.
Rajapakse expressed gratitude to Tang for the Chinese
government's support to Sri Lanka's efforts in safeguarding
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation
on the international and regional affairs. They also expressed
their support to the view that the next post of the Secretary
General of the United Nations should come from an Asia country.
Rajapakse expressed satisfaction in the context of abiding
friendship that a milestone in bilateral relations will be reached
when the establishment of diplomatic relations completes 50 years
in February 2007.
It was agreed to hold a series of events in both countries to
celebrate this important occasion.
The discussion also covered other areas of cooperation such as
petroleum resources development, mutual promotion of tourism,
cooperation in the aviation sector.
After the discussion, Rajapakse and Tang took part in the
signing ceremony of three agreements between the two sides.
Two agreements were signed for two grants for the technical and
economic cooperation to develop the country's economy and sports
equipment and fireworks to help Sri Lanka hold the 10th South Asian
Games.
The contract for Norochcholai Coal Power Project between the
Chinese Natioal Machinery and Equipment Import and Export
Corporation and the Sri Lankan Electricity Board (CEB) was also
signed and work on this project will commence shortly.
"We hope to complete the first phase of the project by 2010
aiming to generate electricity at a lower cost," Deputy Minister of
Power Aluthgamage told the media following the signing.
The completion of the project aims at lessening losses incurred
by the CEB due to selling electricity at lower price against
production cost, he said.
The construction of the coal fired power plant is expected to
contribute to the 8 percent economic growth target set by the
government.
Tang also met Karu Jayasuriya, deputy chairman of Sri Lanka's
major opposition United National Party on Wednesday afternoon.
Tang arrived in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Tuesday to pay an
official visit to the island country and left here on Thursday
morning for Nepal to continue his South Asian trip.
(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2006)
