Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan called on Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana and both sides exchanged views on bilateral political, economic and trade relations as well as international and regional cooperation.

Ambassador Cheng said, China and Sri Lanka are traditionally friendly neighbours and have been long supporting each other’s core interests and major concerns.

Attaching great importance to Sino-Sri Lanka relations, China is willing to work with all sectors of Sri Lanka to actively implement the consensus reached by leaders of both countries, speed up the mega projects cooperation under the BRI framework and strive for early harvest to bring real benefit to the two peoples.

He said the Chinese side is following the current situation in Sri Lanka and that they hope Sri Lanka will take concrete measures to protect the security and legitimate interests of Chinese citizens in Sri Lanka. Foreign Minister Marapana emphasized that Sri Lanka firmly adheres to the One China policy and actively participates in the joint construction of Belt and Road initiative.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka will coordinate various government departments to speed up projects assessment and approval to promote the friendly cooperation, and bring tangible benefits to the Lankan people as soon as possible.

Minister Marapana also briefed on the current situation in Sri Lanka and thanked China for its steady position. Both sides also exchanged views on issues of common concern.