Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 15 (Reporter Feng Xinran) On the afternoon of January 15, President Xi Jinping held talks with Sri Lankan President Dissanayak, who was on a state visit to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Sri Lanka are traditionally friendly. In the 68 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has maintained healthy and stable development, setting an example of friendly interaction and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries. With the joint efforts of both sides, China and Sri Lanka's strategic cooperative partnership of sincere mutual assistance and friendship for generations has been continuously developed in depth, and high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. At present, China-Szcz relations face a historical opportunity to carry forward the past and open up the past. Both sides should grasp China-Szcz relations from a strategic perspective and jointly build a community of shared future between China and Szczcz.
Xi Jinping stressed that China has always placed Sri Lanka in an important direction of neighboring diplomacy. It will continue to support Sri Lanka in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support Sri Lanka to independently explore development paths that conform to its national conditions. It is willing to deepen political mutual trust with Sri Lanka, exchange experience in governing the country, and strengthen dialogue and communication between the two departments. China's further comprehensive deepening of reform and promoting Chinese-style modernization will bring new opportunities for Sri Lanka's development. China will actively support Sri Lanka to focus on economic construction, promote high-quality cooperation in the fields of "Belt and Road", modern agriculture, digital economy, marine economy, etc., and create new highlights. We must strengthen cultural exchanges between the two sides and enhance the "heart-to-heart connectivity" between the two peoples. China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Sri Lanka in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, jointly respond to major issues such as climate change that are related to human development, adhere to the global and southern unity and self-reliance, and contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
Disanayak said he was very happy to visit China at the beginning of the new year. Sri Lanka admires China's major development achievements in the fields of economy, science and technology, infrastructure, etc. China has always been a reliable friend and partner of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to relations with China, firmly abides by the one-China principle, and thanks China for its valuable support in maintaining independence, sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests. Sri Lanka is committed to jointly building the "Belt and Road" to help improve the level of regional connectivity. It welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in Sri Lanka. It is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of infrastructure, energy, agriculture, finance, poverty reduction, digital transformation, tourism, oceans, personnel training, etc. China is an important leading country in the global south and plays a constructive role in international affairs. Sri Lanka is willing to continue to strengthen coordination and support each other on multilateral occasions to safeguard common interests.
After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a cooperation plan for jointly building the "Belt and Road" and a number of bilateral cooperation documents on agricultural products exported to China, social and people's livelihood, news, radio and television.
Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Disanayak in the north hall of the Great Hall of the People.
21 cannons were fired in Tiananmen Square, and salutes lined up to pay tribute. The heads of state of the two countries took to the reviewing stand, and the military band played the national anthems of China and Sri Lanka. accompanied by Xi Jinping, Disanayak inspected the Chinese People's Liberation Army guard of honor and watched the parade.
That night, Xi Jinping held a welcome banquet for Disanayak in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
Wang Yi participated in the above activities.
