China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka's economic and social development and the improvement of people's livelihood to the best of its capacity, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said.
Qin said China and Sri Lanka have respected and supported each other since establishing diplomatic ties, setting a good example of friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes.
During a meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, he called on the two sides to fully implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, enhance high-level and people-to-people exchanges, and promote the joint construction of a high-quality Belt and Road.
Hailing China as a great friend and important partner in development, Sabry said Sri Lanka treasures the selfless assistance provided by the Chinese government and people to its national independence and economic development, and thanked China for its valuable support for Sri Lanka in handling the debt issue and overcoming temporary difficulties.
Sri Lanka will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy, ensure the construction of the Belt and Road, work in close coordination with China on multilateral occasions, and promote the further development of bilateral ties, Sabry added.
Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a function in Gampaha yesterday (27) revealed that he had held discussions with the Chairman of the Chinese EXIM Bank and other Chinese officials appointed for the purpose of restructuring Sri Lanka’s foreign debt who had assured their commitment to contribute to the debt restructuring process in the best possible manner.
