China ready to support Sri Lanka?s debt sustainability

China says it is ready ready to continue to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to support Sri Lanka?s debt sustainability.

?Speaking to reporters at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said that China has been providing?assistance?to Sri Lanka?s socioeconomic development to the best of its capability.

“We stand ready to continue to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to support Sri Lanka?s debt sustainability,” he said.

Sri Lanka and China recently discussed debt restructuring during diplomatic consultations held in in Beijing.

Both countries concluded the 13^th?Round of Diplomatic consultations in Beijing.

The consultations were led by Secretary, Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Aruni Wijewardane and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People?s Republic of China, Sun Weidong.

The two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas including recent high-level visits, economic and trade enhancement, debt restructuring, people to people exchanges, tourism as well as recent developments in multilateral fora.

The Foreign Secretary appreciated China?s assistance to Sri Lanka during challenging times, and in the context of the priority given by Sri Lanka to economic recovery and growth, identified potential avenues for further cooperation on green initiatives, agriculture modernization, renewable energy, food security, investment promotion as well as enhancement of trade, tourism and people to people contacts.

The Chinese Vice Minister encouraged Sri Lanka in its ongoing progress and highlighted the current and future potential of the growing economy of China for further expansion of the export market, inward investments and people-centered sustainable growth.

Both sides recalled their long-standing bilateral relations based on mutual respect and reaffirmed their commitment to further consolidate bilateral ties based on sovereign equality and peaceful co-existence.?(Colombo Gazette)