President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to China:

Trade and cultural exchange enhanced

By Shanika SRIYANANDA

True friendship means a lot. They care for each other and stand for each other. China and Sri Lanka for centuries have proved that they are true friends. This friendship was further strengthened during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s four-day visit to China this week.

The President values the historical and traditional friendship with China, before his departure to China on Monday he told the Chinese based Xinhua news agency that there was a great possibility of deepening cooperation and friendship between the two countries with trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

“The high level exchanges between our two governments and the other interactions in areas of mutual interest have been useful in developing the best relations between us. In fact it will be right to say that the relations between China and Sri Lanka are at the highest levels of friendship and understanding. China’s growth rate is setting a benchmark for developing countries such as Sri Lanka.

We are impressed by the role that China is playing today in strengthening the economies of countries in Africa. We also follow with interest the leading role that China is now playing in facing challenges of climate change and protection of the environment,” he said.

He said China now plays a very important role in the international stage and the fiscal policies of China have prevented the global economy from being badly affected by the financial crises in other parts of the world.

“Since the defeat of terrorism in May 2009, Sri Lanka has witnessed political stability, remarkable economic progress and carried out speedy resettlement of displaced people”, he said adding that the government is committed to a market oriented economy that will not neglect the social welfare needs of the people, and through this means Sri Lanka looks forward to the cooperation between the State and private sectors in building the national economy.

President Rajapaksa explaining the government’s commitment to develop the North, said his government was also committed to reconciliation among all communities, and strengthening of peace to ensure that dividends of peace are equitably distributed among the Sri Lankan people and also appreciated the understanding sho--wn by China on the pressures of the post-conflict period, and the support extended to heal the wounds.

A truly people’s President... President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who witnessed the final Randoli Perahera of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy yesterday, did not forget to move amongst crowds freely. Here the President speaks to a child among the massive crowds that gathered in the hill capital for the historic event. Pic: Chandana Perera

President Rajapaksa, who visited China several times, including the visit in October last year as a special guest to attend the Expo 2010 Exhibition in Shanghai, since 2007, said he would learn more of the progress and the management styles that have contributed to the progress of China.

During his four-day visit to Beijing and Shenzhen, he opened the newly built Sri Lanka Research Centre at Beijing Foreign Studies University and participated as the Chief Guest at the ceremony to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the University, and the Golden Jubilee of the Sinhala Language Department of its Asia-Africa School.

The Beijing Foreign Studies University, which offers 17 foreign languages including Sinhala, teaches the Sinhala language to 14 Chinese students who follow the Bachelors Degree Program and also to three others who follow the Masters Program.

President Rajapaksa was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Beijing Foreign Studies University for fostering peace and reconciliation within the country and the world, creating an environment in which all the communities can live in harmony and strengthening friendship and understanding between Sri Lanka and China.

The Chancellor of the University Professor Chen Yulu conferring the degree on the President said President Rajapaksa helped not only to improve the educational ties between Sri Lanka and China but also to strengthen peace in the world.

Addressing university students at the Sri Lanka Study Centre, where 17 Chinese students are learning the Sinhala language, he said “ I must also record here the deep gratitude of the people of Sri Lanka to China for their commitment to support Sri Lanka in the battle against terrorism that we concluded with success; and for the assistance given for reconstruction and resettlement in the former conflict zone in our country”.

The President presented a Buddha Statue to the Chancellor to mark the occasion and also planted a tree at the University to represent the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

The President took time to visit one of the leading tea institutes - Infinite Tea Centre- in Bejing. ‘Infinit’ only imports tea from Sri Lanka and has 22 centres throughout China.

They Started importing tea from Sri Lanka since 2008, the company purchases 50 tons of Sri Lankan tea annually and company authorities said that this quantity would exceed to 100 tons by next year.

President Rajapaksa who enjoyed a cup of Sri Lankan tea at the Centre had discussions with the Chairman of Infinit Tea Centre, Huang Yongjiang.

President Rajapaksa was warmly welcomed by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao at his residence in Beijing, Thursday and pledged to support Sri Lanka in any international matter and also to enhance aged-old coorperation between the two countries.

He also said that the ever deepening friendship and cooperation between the two nations had brought substantial benefits to people in both countries and also helped to promote regional peace and development.

“ China is ready to help with Sri Lanka’s economic development, promote communication between the two countries with regard to infrastructure construction, enlarge two-way trade and investment, and strengthen cultural and personnel exchanges”, he said.

The Chinese premier said President Rajapaksa’s attendance at the opening ceremony of the 26th Summer Universiade on Friday, would further enhance China-Sri Lanka relationship.

President Rajapaksa, expressing his gratitude for Chinese assistance for the number of ongoing projects in Sri Lanka, explained to the Chinese Premier, the post-conflict development in the country and the government’s commitment to carry out major infrastructure development to ensure balanced economic progress in all regions.

Prime Minister then praised the government’s commitment to complete the first phase of the Hambantota port successfully, Premier Wen expressed China’s willingness to provide financial assistance to the construction of the second phase of the port.

They discussed about the Norochcholai power plant constructed with Chinese aid and ways and means to increase the number of flights between the capitals of the two countries.

President Rajapaksa, who visited China on an invitation by the Chinese President Hu Jintao extended during China bi-lateral meetings held on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Economic Summit in Russia in June this year, participated as the Guest of Honour at Friday’s opening of the 26th Summer Universiade held in Shenzhen City of South China’s Guangdong Province.

On Friday, Chinese President Hu Jintao, who had bi-lateral discussions with President Rajapaksa, hosted a State lunch in honour of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Sensen Intercontinental Hotel in China.