Chinese President’s visit to Lanka historic

Manjula Fernando

We are looking forward eagerly to the first visit by the Leader of the people’s republic of China to Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told Sunday Observer yesterday.

He said,” China has proved herself a true friend of Sri Lanka at all times and it is going to be a significant event.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in Sri Lanka from September 16 to 17 on a two-day official visit where he will inaugurate the first phase of the Port City project near the Gall Face green with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The External Affairs Minister said, this project will be a new chapter in infrastructure development in Sri Lanka opening out to the world.

The Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao said the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit was historic and will build a solid platform for the development of bi-lateral ties. China today is Sri Lanka’s second largest trading partner and second largest source of imports.

Speaking to a selected group of journalists in Colombo he said the relations between the two countries have become a model of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small countries.

The Chinese leader will ink over 20 agreements during his visit to Sri Lanka.

The two countries are making rapid progress towards the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement that will give access to Sri Lanka’s exports to the vast Chinese markets.

The bi-lateral agreements to be signed during the Chinese leaders visit will cover political, economic, cultural and social sectors.

Commencing his tour, Xi is now in Tajikistan. He will visit Maldives on his way to Sri Lanka and later India from Colombo.

The pinnacle of the visit will be the inauguration of the Port City project. During the 1st phase of the project the Chinese investor – China Harbour Engineering Company invested US $ 1.4 billion. The total cost of the project which will reclaim 276 hectares of land near the Galle Face sea-front is expected to exceed US $ 13 billion. During the second phase, the Chinese company will hand over two thirds of the land to the Sri Lankan government for development while they will develop one third by inviting foreign investors including from US and India.

The visiting leader will hold meetings with the President and the Prime Minister and pay a visit to the Parliament where he will meet the Speaker and members of parliament including the Opposition.

The Ambassador said in 2013 during President Rajapaksa’s offical visit to China, the two countries renewed their relationship to a strategic cooperative partnership of, mutual assistance and everlasting friendship.

Although a visit by a Chinese President was made to Sri Lanka in 1984, this is the first time the President who is also the leader of the country was paying a visit.