Sri Lanka and
China committed to improving bilateral ties reaffirming mutually beneficial
cooperation. "Sri Lanka is a tiny country. Fortunately or not, it's
situated in a most strategic location geographically. The country has faced
numerous political problems as a result.
The only way to surmount them is by
being economically strong. Economic autonomy would guarantee political
independence," President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told the visiting Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, who called him
yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat.
In his reply,
Minister Yi said China would be Sri Lanka's long-standing partner in
development and growth, as it did in the past. He noted that China's policy
toward Sri Lanka had always been clear and that China would remain a reliable
friend of Sri Lanka. China's Foreign Minister began a cordial conversation with
the President conveying the Chinese President Xi Jing Ping's warmest greetings.
He congratulated President Rajapaksa of "old friend of China" for
having been elected to the office.
Minister Yi said
he was satisfied after the in-depth discussion he had with President Rajapaksa
that good bilateral relations that already exist could be further improved. President
Rajapaksa cordially reciprocated the goodwill and warm wishes of the visiting
minister. The President confirmed that he was President Xi Jing Ping's admirer
and that he had closely followed his speeches and comments.
He also claimed
that some of President Xi's policies integrated into his mandate, particularly
on poverty alleviation. He thanked Minister Yi for welcoming tourists to China,
too. "As a strategic partner for Sri Lanka, China will continue to stand
by the interests of Sri Lanka. China stands for the sovereignty, territorial
integrity, and independence of that nation. We will not allow any outside pressures
to interfere with matters that are Sri Lankan internal issues, "pledged
Minister Yi.
Referring to the
commitment of President Rajapaksa to make Sri Lanka economically independent,
the Chinese Foreign Minister said that all preparations would be made during
next month's presidential visit to meet with appropriate parties that can
support Sri Lanka in the areas of technology, tourism, infrastructure, and
other related fields. The tour will be highly productive, he said.
OSL Take: The
Belt and Road Initiative expected to possibly become the most significant
infrastructure project ever involving 68 countries around the world revitalizing
the old “Silk Road” that used to link Europe and Asia. The objective of the system
is to make economic and trade activities along the route dynamic and vigorous
once again, establishing it as the world’s most dominant trading area. The Belt
and Road Initiative will complement the government of Sri Lanka’s aim of
establishing Sri Lanka as a global hub and also open avenues for innumerable
opportunities.
The statement made
by the Chinese government about opportunities in Sri Lanka would further boost
the island’s image as a business/investment destination. Sri Lanka’s
geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, the ease of doing business
environment in the country, and the many trade agreements, as well as trade
concessions enjoyed by the state, have already made it an attractive business
destination in the South Asian region. China’s BRI would now further promote
Sri Lanka as a business destination in the area. Foreign businesses/investors
could, therefore, explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka.
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