• Sabry hails China as a great friend

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, in Beijing yesterday (25), where the former had stated that China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka's economic and social development, and assist with the improvement of the livelihoods of Sri Lankans, to the best of its capacity.

Noting that 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, Qin had 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.

According to Chinese media outlet Xinhua, while hailing China as a great friend and important partner in development, Minister Sabry had said that 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, the Sri Lankan foreign Minister had said.

Both countries had also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. Qin said that in the face of complex and volatile circumstances, China will work with other countries to safeguard regional and world peace, stability and prosperity and build a community with a shared future for humanity.