China visit to spur development

Chen ZHANJIE

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed his deep appreciation of China’s development assistance to Sri Lanka in many fields, cementing bilateral ties between the two countries.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the eve of his departure to China to mark 50 years of Sino-Lanka diplomatic relations cum investment promotion mission, President Rajapaksa expressed the belief that Chinese investors will come to Sri Lanka to help the country overcome unemployment and achieve economic development.

The President noted China and Sri Lanka had begun the work of building the Puttalam coal power plant to meet the country’s power needs. There were many other projects which China could assist.

“We want to take this further by inviting Chinese investors to build the new port in Hambantota,” the President said.

He would meet entrepreneurs and businessmen in China and invite them to establish industries in Sri Lanka.

“We consider the development of the Chinese people as our own development. Similarly, we look forward to the Chinese people considering the development of Sri Lanka as the development of China, due to the friendship between our countries,” the President said. He said the relationship between China and Sri Lanka is built on a solid foundation.

“Our relationship is very old. In the ancient times, the famous Chinese monk Fa Hsien came to Sri Lanka. We have a strong relationship from that time,” Rajapaksa said.

He hoped his forthcoming visit will further strengthen economic and social ties between the two countries.

“China had contributed a lot to the development of Sri Lanka by building the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), the Supreme Court Complex, among others, and assisting in many infrastructure development projects.”

President Rajapaksa said the Government is also looking forward to a twinning-arrangement between some districts in Sri Lanka and China. During his State visit, the President will present a baby elephant named Migara to the people and especially the children of China.

“I hope there will be a lot of improvement on our economic and social relations as a result of my visit,” Rajapaksa said.

He stressed that Sri Lanka has always been following the One China Policy. “There can be no change and there will be no change in this. We will always remain firm in our acceptance and support of the One China Policy,” the President said.

He said he appreciated the support given by China so far in solving the country’s ethnic issue and looked forward to such from China in the future.

The President observed that China is developing very rapidly despite a very large population, “I believe we have a lot of lessons to learn from that development.”

“I visit China just at the end of the (Spring) Festival season. As it is said in our language it is like visiting our relatives,” the President said. He was satisfied with the relationship between the two countries in the last 50 years.

“It is my expectation that we can continue this good relationship for the next 50 years, and we are working to achieve this,” he stressed.