Government insists ties with China still strong

The Government today insisted that Sri Lanka’s relationship with China still remains strong and an upcoming visit to Sri Lanka by a Chinese Government delegation will help further boost the relationship.

The Ministry of National Policy and Economic Affairs said that a Chinese delegation led by Yang Weiqun, director of the department of Asian affairs at the Chinese Commerce Ministry, will be in Sri Lanka on January 6.

The delegation will hold talks with the Deputy Minister of?National Policy and Economic Affairs Niroshan Perera, among others, during the visit.

The Ministry of National Policy and Economic Affairs said that attempts are being made to give the impression Sri Lanka is focused only on maintaining a strong relationship with Europe.

However the media unit of the Ministry said that the foreign policy of the new Government is to maintain strong toes with all countries, including China.

Yang Weiqun and his delegation will have talks with Sri Lanka on the Colombo Port City project, the Hambantota harbour and the Colombo – Kandy highway project.

The Ministry of National Policy and Economic Affairs said the Chinese delegation will also inspect the?Colombo Port City project site and the?Hambantota harbour.

Talks between Sri Lanka and the Chinese delegation will also focus on investment opportunities and local politics. (Colombo Gazette)