China’s Xi expressed readiness to usher in a new era of development in bilateral ties with Sri Lanka
Beijing, Jan 15: China places Sri Lanka on top of its neighbourhood diplomacy and supports it in safeguarding its sovereignty, President Xi Jinping told his Sri Lankan counterpart Anura Kumara Dissanayake during their meeting here on Wednesday.
After their meeting, the two countries signed several agreements to boost bilateral ties, an official statement here said. Xi expressed China’s readiness to usher in a new era of development in bilateral ties and called on the two countries to have a “keen grasp” of their relations from a “strategic perspective” and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, it said.
Dissanayake, who arrived here on Tuesday on a four-day visit a month after travelling to India on his first overseas trip since assuming office in September, was given a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of People, following which both the Presidents held talks.
After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral documents on the cooperation plan for jointly building the “Belt and Road” and on the export of agricultural products to China, social livelihood, news and broadcasting, the Chinese official statement said.
Dissanayake’s meeting with Xi is keenly watched as the Sri Lankan leader representing the Marxist-oriented Janata Vimukti Peramuna (JVP) – the majority partner of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) – outlines his China policy after his India visit where he assured New Delhi that he will not allow Sri Lanka’s territory to be used against India’s security interests.
His assurance was viewed in the backdrop of concerns raised by India over frequent visits of Chinese research vessels regarded as spy ships to Sri Lankan ports. (PTI)
