Wang Yi's visit signifies continued strategic cooperation

by Manjula Fernando

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Sri Lanka last week signified that the two countries were willing to iron out differences and continue the already committed strategic cooperation agenda.

The visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday at Temple Trees yesterday. Pic: Malan Karunarathne

Bilateral discussions between the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Smaraweera, at the Ministry on Friday, was attended by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and External Trade and Strategic Development Minister Malik Samarawickrema. The participation of Ministers Karunanayake and Samarawickrema signified the importance attached to development cooperation and trade between the two nations.

Holding a joint press conference after the bilateral round, the Chinese Foreign Minister said China and Sri Lanka are close friends whose ties have withstood the test of time.

The Chinese minister paid a courtesy call on President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday evening and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe last morning where he conveyed good wishes from the Chinese President Hu Jintao.

He stressed, "No matter how international situation and our domestic agenda change our strategic and cooperative partnership, everlasting friendship and sincere mutual assistance between China and Sri Lanka will continue to develop."

He said this friendship was rooted in a firm political foundation and strong converging interests.

His statement was followed by a few comments by the Foreign Minister Samaraweera who said the government welcomed active support from Chinese enterprises towards the development of Sri Lanka's economy.

The Chinese Minister however, assured that close relations and cooperation between the two countries will not be used to hurt a third country, an assurance observers said was directed towards India.

"There is consensus between China and Sri Lanka that our relations do not target any third country nor will it affect our respective relations with other countries and we stand ready to work more closely with other regional countries for the purpose of achieving common development," he said.

The two countries have agreed to take up the 21st century maritime silk road as a top priority in the bi-lateral agenda to 'better align' the mutual development-strategy including Sri Lanka's five year development plan.

A comprehensive blueprint for future cooperation is to be put together based on this strategy. The Chinese Minister said "China can help Sri Lanka to build itself into a shipping centre in the Indian Ocean and accelerate the process of improving the capacity for independent development."

The Chinese assistance will continue in the areas of port, railway, highway and other mega programs. He added that Chinese grant assistance will focus on improving livelihoods and also to build a hospital for treating kidney diseases. China also pledged assistance in the area of post disaster reconstruction.

Tourism, too, will be a high priority area in the future. The visiting Minister said his government will continue to encourage more Chinese people to come to this 'beautiful country' for sightseeing, holidaying and shopping. China accounts for the second largest tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka after India last year.

Minister Yi also assured close cooperation on the blue economy and marine, technical and technological cooperation to promote maritime security.

The two sides have also discussed the importance of stepping up coordination on international and regional issues in a bid to maintain justice and fairness. Minister Yi had discussed China's position on the South China sea arbitration case.

Minister Samaraweera said Sri Lanka was of the view that parties concerned should address the South China sea issue through dialogue and consultation on the basis of international law, and seek a proper solution to their differences to maintain peace and stability in the region.

A Festival of Sri Lanka will be organised in Beijing in 2017 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the commencement of China-Sri Lanka bilateral relations. Next year also marks the 65th anniversary of the Rubber for Rice Pact between the two countries.

Soon after meeting the Prime Minister yesterday, Minister Yi left for Beijing.