China’s Vice Minister calls on Mahinda Rajapaksa in Beijing

China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sun Weidong, called on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Beijing today and reiterated the strong partnership between China and Sri Lanka. 

Referring to President Rajapaksa as an "old friend of China," Vice Minister Sun recalled the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Sri Lanka in 2014 during Rajapaksa's tenure.

Vice Minister Sun Weidong emphasized that Sri Lanka and China remain very good partners in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

He assured that China would extend its utmost support to promote the economic and social development of Sri Lanka, in line with China's Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and President Xi's vision for a shared future for mankind.

Rajapaksa expressed his gratitude for China's steadfast support in Sri Lanka’s development and requested continued cooperation in the future. The former President is in Beijing to participate in the conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.