China says ready to play constructive role in Sri Lanka’s steady economic

Colombo, Sep 25 (Daily Mirror) - China has expressed its readiness to play a constructive role in Sri Lanka's steady economic and social development, adhering to non-interference principles in the country's internal affairs and respecting its sovereignty.

Commenting on the recent Presidential election in which Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular media conference that the election held smoothly on September 21,  and as Sri Lanka’s friendly neighbour, China and Sri Lanka have all along treated each other with mutual respect and support.

" China expresses heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Dissanayake who was elected as Sri Lanka’s new president and was sworn into office. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President Dissanayake," he said.

When asked about China's confidence in Sri Lanka's commitment to repaying its loans, Lin emphasized that China and Sri Lanka share a long-standing friendship. 

"We stand ready to work with President Dissanayake and his new administration to uphold the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, forge greater synergy between our development strategies, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strive for new progress in our strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship," he said.