|
Message by H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa,
President of Sri Lanka to H. E.
Hu Jintao, President of China
I am grateful for the opportunity to undertake a State Visit to the People’s Republic of China in this “Year of China – Sri Lanka Friendship”, commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Our relations over the last half-century have remained firm, deep and consistent and have now extended into many areas of cooperation. These have been greatly facilitated by several high-level visits exchanged between the two countries.
Our economic relations have progressed both at the State level and the non-state corporate sector. They now include infrastructure and technological development as well which is an essential part of Sri Lanka’s development process and my own vision for our future. Tourism from China to Sri Lanka has also increased by over 60% in 2006 over 2005, further strengthening people to people contacts and understanding.
Religious and cultural interactions between our two countries have always remained strong. In the 5th Century, the Chinese monk, Fa Xian, spent two years in our country studying Buddhist texts and religious exchanges have continued through the centuries. Our cultural ties are now enhanced by new Information Technology.
At the international and regional level, China and Sri Lanka have consulted closely. Sri Lanka retains her firm commitment to the One China Policy in international relations.
My State Visit to China this year and the numerous other activities planned to take place in our two countries as part of the “Year of China-Sri Lanka Friendship” will certainly consolidate our relations further. They will also help to identify new areas of cooperation in a relationship which has been aptly described as an “All-round Cooperation Partnership of Sincere Mutual Support and Everlasting Friendship”. The people of Sri Lanka and I wish this partnership to grow from strength to strength.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
|
