Met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena

President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing，March 27, 2024. 

President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing，March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

President Xi Jinping pointed out that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka has a long history, and the people of the two countries have a natural sense of closeness. Consolidating and developing China Sri Lanka relations is in line with the fundamental interests and common expectations of the two peoples. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to continue to carry forward the spirit of the Micao Accord of "independence, self-reliance, solidarity and mutual assistance", consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges of experience in governance and administration, expand practical cooperation, jointly build the "Belt and Road" with high quality, and constantly deepen the strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Sri Lanka that is sincere, mutual assistance, and friendship for generations.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, and national dignity, exploring a modernization path that is in line with its national conditions, and will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka's economic and social development to the best of its ability. Both sides should make joint efforts to promote high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road", especially the two flagship projects of Colombo Port City and Hambantota Comprehensive Development, deepen cooperation in logistics, energy and industry, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in digital economy, green economy, clean energy, cultural tourism, marine economy and other fields. China is willing to continue expanding the import of high-quality products with Sri Lankan characteristics, encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Sri Lanka, and hopes that Sri Lanka can provide a fair and transparent business environment. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka in rural poverty reduction, and assist Sri Lanka in achieving economic transformation, upgrading, and sustainable development. Both sides should further promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, strengthen cooperation in international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of China and Sri Lanka and international fairness and justice, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing，March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that Sri Lanka and China have a traditional friendship. Sri Lanka firmly adheres to the One China principle and adheres to a policy of friendly cooperation with China, always prioritizing China in foreign relations. Sri Lanka will not forget that China always extends a helping hand in times of difficulties, and Sri Lanka and China are close friends in times of shared destiny. The comprehensive development of Colombo Port City and Hambantota have greatly boosted Sri Lanka's economic and social development, and also effectively promoted the overall development of the region. The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by the President Xi Jinping have injected new impetus and positive energy into world peace and development, and Sri Lanka will actively support and participate. Sri Lanka is willing to continue to work with China to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen Sri Lanka China friendly relations, promote the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", expand cooperation in economy and trade, education, tourism, poverty reduction and other fields, close international and multilateral communication and cooperation, and promote the construction of an Asian community of common destiny and a community of common destiny for people.

Wang Yi attended the meeting.