Sri Lanka’s President Rajapaksa Vows to Deepen Economic Cooperation with China

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has assured the willingness to expand cooperation with China in infrastructure construction, tourism, and other areas, CGTN reported.

Rajapaksa told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday (today) during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi said that China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to enhance Belt and Road (BRI) cooperation and contribute to the economic revival of Sri Lanka in the post-pandemic era. 

He further said China will continue to provide necessary assistance to Sri Lanka, conduct cooperation in areas including aviation and education and explore other potential cooperation areas. 

Xi highlighted China would never forget Sri Lanka’s support for the restoration of China’s lawful seat in the UN and is willing to continue working with Sri Lanka to support each other on issues of mutual concern, safeguard each other’s legitimate rights and promote global justice and fairness. 

Rajapaksa congratulated China on the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China and spoke highly of China’s achievements in fighting the pandemic and its economic recovery. 

Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka hopes to learn from China’s experience in poverty reduction and rural revitalization, so as to benefit Sri Lanka’s economic development and its people. 

Last year, Rajapaksa was quoted saying that he was targeting a China-style development model for the Island-nation.