Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged unwavering support to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Sri Lanka’s pursuit of political and socio-economic advancement, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to safeguarding the island nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. According to the statement from the Prime Minister’s office, the meeting between Xi and Gunawardena, held at the Great Hall in Beijing, saw both China and Sri Lanka agreeing to adhere to principles of friendship, peace, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs during international affairs.
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In reiterating China's support for Sri Lanka's political and socio-economic endeavors, President Xi emphasized China's steadfast commitment to upholding the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Sri Lanka, according to the statement. Additionally, both parties stressed the importance of bilateral relations founded on mutual respect and productivity, highlighting the significance of setting a positive example through adherence to such policies.Also read : If not India then who?
President Xi pledged China's support for development initiatives in Sri Lanka upon their presentation, underscoring a willingness to collaborate in upholding the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, characterized by principles of independence, self-reliance, unity, and mutual support. During an official press release in Beijing, Xi expressed China's readiness to collaborate with Sri Lanka to advance political trust, exchange governance experiences, bolster practical cooperation, and enhance Belt and Road cooperation, emphasizing the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact.
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Gunawardena held discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qing, resulting in the signing of nine new agreements aimed at restructuring Sri Lanka's troubled economy, but no specific details were disclosed. China, holding the majority share of Sri Lanka's USD 40 billion external debt, demonstrated its commitment amidst Sri Lanka's sovereign default in 2022, with the assurance of ongoing assistance vital for debt sustainability, as noted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In a show of goodwill, the Chinese Premier commended Sri Lanka's economic recovery efforts following a period of downturn, pledging further assistance for the development of key infrastructure projects such as Katunayake International Airport, Hambantota Port, and Colombo Port City, as reported by media sources during the bilateral talks.
