China has reaffirmed its commitment to helping in the economic development of Sri Lanka, as well as supporting the country in other areas.
Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang, who is on a visit to the country, met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday. During their meeting, the Chinese dignitary said China would be honoured to be associated with the country’s major economic, infrastructural and socio-cultural development projects.
According to the President’s office, President Rajapaksa and the Chinese Vice-Premier discussed progress in such China-assisted projects as the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway; the Matara-Kataragama rail extension; the Norochcholai Coal Power Project; the Hambantota Port Development; the Mattala International Airport, and the upcoming National Theatre Centre for the Performing Arts, in Colombo. Mr. Dejiang observed that Sri Lanka has supported China in the past, such as in China’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council and its One-China Policy.
President Rajapaksa thanked China for its assistance in Sri Lanka’s defeat of terrorism and for its continued support in the country’s post-war economic and social development.President Rajapaksa and Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang signed six agreements.
These cover economic and technical cooperation in Sri Lanka’s highways development, information technology and communications; maritime port development, including completion of the second phase of the Hambantota Port Development project, and the maintenance of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). |
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