Beijing, January 16, 2025
Words Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
At the invitation of President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake, paid a state visit to the People’s Republic of China.
During the visit, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held talks with President Xi Jinping and met with Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council, and H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two sides had in-depth exchanges of views. They reached extensive common understandings on deepening traditional friendship and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, multi-sectoral practical cooperation between China and Sri Lanka, and regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The two sides believe that China and Sri Lanka have consistently respected each other, treated each other as equals, and stood by each other over the 68 years of diplomatic ties, and set a fine example of friendly interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. The two sides agreed to carry forward the spirit of independence, self-reliance, solidarity, and mutual assistance enshrined in the Rubber-Rice Pact, follow the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual support, win-win cooperation, and common development, stay committed to deepening the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future to benefit the two countries and peoples.
The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of close high-level exchanges to keep the strong strategic guidance by the leaders of the two countries over bilateral relations, to strengthen further bilateral exchanges between the two governments, legislative bodies, and political parties to consolidate mutual political trust and share and learn from each other’s governance and development experience, and make dedicated efforts to enhance China- Sri Lanka relations.
Both sides reaffirmed mutual support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. Both sides reaffirmed the authority of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, and Sri Lanka reaffirmed its strong commitment to the one-China principle, recognizing that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.
Sri Lanka firmly supports all efforts by the Chinese Government to achieve national reunification and opposes “Taiwan independence” in any form.
Sri Lanka reiterated that it will never allow its territory to be used for any anti- China separatist activities and will firmly support China on issues related to Xizang and Xinjiang. China reiterated that it will continue to firmly support Sri Lanka in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and it will respect and support Sri Lanka in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions. The Chinese side reiterated its commitment to an independent foreign policy of peace. Sri Lanka reiterated its commitment to an independent, non-aligned foreign policy.
China congratulated Sri Lanka on successfully holding presidential and parliamentary elections in 2024, expressed its good wishes for the new Sri Lankan government to take the Sri Lankan people forward in economic and social development, unity, stability and prosperity, and conveyed its readiness to provide active support as the Sri Lankan government works to promote the sustainable development of the country. Sri Lanka commended the remarkable achievements China made in the new era and expressed support for China’s building of a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through the path to modernization. Sri Lanka believes that China’s drive to further deepen reform comprehensively and promote high-standard opening up will bring new opportunities for Sri Lanka’s economic advancement.
Under the guidance and encouragement of leaders of both countries, China and Sri Lanka have produced fruitful outcomes in Belt and Road cooperation. Sri Lanka appreciates the vital role of Belt and Road cooperation in its economic and social development and the livelihood of its people. The two sides agreed to advance all major signature projects, including the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port integrated development, fully utilize such platforms as the Silk Road Workshop and carry out more livelihood programs in Sri Lanka by the principles of planning together, building together and benefiting together, open, green and clean cooperation, and high-standard, people-centered and sustainable development and following the eight major steps announced by President Xi Jinping for supporting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The two sides were pleased to sign a Belt and Road cooperation plan to upgrade China-Sri Lanka’s high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and jointly open up new space for win-win development of higher standards, stronger resilience, and greater sustainability.
Sri Lanka expressed its high appreciation for the valuable support it has received from China in times of financial difficulties, including the vital assistance in restructuring China-related debts, which was robust support for Sri Lanka in effectively dealing with the debt issue. Sri Lanka expressed its desire for the early implementation of the agreed debt restructuring plan together with Chinese financial institutions. China will continue to play a positive role in the International Monetary Fund and maintain friendly communication with other creditors to help Sri Lanka ease its financial difficulties and achieve debt sustainability. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the People’s Bank of China have renewed their currency swap agreement and will continue to cooperate financially.
The two sides are satisfied with the progress of bilateral cooperation in economy and trade. Sri Lanka appreciated China’s effort to promote imports from Sri Lanka through various means. China expressed its readiness to continue supporting Sri Lankan enterprises in the tea, gem, and other industries in establishing ties with relevant Chinese associations of importers and exporters, facilitating Sri Lanka’s participation in expos such as the China International Import Expo, China Import and Export Fair, China-South Asia Exposition and e-commerce platforms, and further enhance cooperation between enterprises of the two countries based on mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. The two sides agreed to work toward the early conclusion of a comprehensive free trade agreement in one package that is in line with the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes.
Sri Lanka welcomes more business investment from China and will provide a conducive investment and business environment for this purpose. China will continue to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka to facilitate economic transformation and sustainable development. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in logistics, green development, and digital economy to propel their high-quality and mutually beneficial practical cooperation.
The two sides positively evaluated their wide-ranging cooperation and in-depth exchanges on agriculture. China conveyed its readiness to carry out training and demonstration programs with Sri Lanka in areas including bio-technologies for tropical crops, plant breeding and cultivation, and aquaculture to help Sri Lanka enhance its capacity for sustainable agricultural development and welcome Sri Lanka to further expand its export of distinctive products to China, including tea, fruits, cinnamon, and aquatic products. The two sides shared the readiness to expand exchanges and cooperation with a sharper focus on poverty reduction and rural revitalization. China expressed its readiness to help Sri Lanka strengthen the capacity of personnel in related fields.
Both sides recognize climate change as one of the greatest challenges of human society and a threat to the sustainable development of developing countries, including China and Sri Lanka. They agreed to work actively together on climate change. Sri Lanka appreciated China’s humanitarian relief in the wake of severe flooding. China expressed its readiness to enhance cooperation with Sri Lanka in disaster prevention, mitigation, and emergency rescue, share its technologies, and provide training to improve Sri Lanka’s emergency management capabilities. China welcomes Sri Lanka’s participation in the relevant activities of the Belt and Road International Green Development Coalition and other platforms as part of the joint effort to realize the U.N. 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The two sides share the desire to continue maritime cooperation based on equality, mutual trust, openness, and mutual benefit and hold regular bilateral consultations on maritime affairs. The two sides are ready to deepen cooperation in such fields as conservation and restoration of the marine environment and ecosystems, maritime domain awareness, maritime rescue, disaster relief, and maritime personnel training and capacity building, and pool their strength to build a maritime community with a shared future. The two sides agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Ocean Cooperation toward Blue Partnership.
The two sides are ready to deepen cooperation on education. The two sides fully recognized the importance of education exchanges for increasing understanding and friendship and expressed readiness further to enhance exchanges of teachers, students, and researchers. China welcomes and encourages more committed students from Sri Lanka to pursue further studies in China and is ready to continue to support them with government scholarships. China will work with Sri Lanka to implement the Luban Workshop to good effect and nurture more professionals through vocational and technical training for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka appreciates China’s assistance in education and will work with China to ensure the success of the digital classroom project. The two sides are ready to promote Chinese language education in Sri Lanka and continue to work through the China Culture Center in Sri Lanka to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. The two sides will continue to work in and develop the China- Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and strengthen scientific and technological exchange cooperation and education in the universities and research institutes of the two countries.
The two sides are ready to advance their long-standing friendship and bring their people closer together. The two sides will take multiple measures to encourage mutual tourist travel and aviation connectivity. China welcomes more Sri Lankan cities to the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities. The two sides will continue to support each other in holding tourism promotion activities in China and Sri Lanka.
The two sides are ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in youth, think tanks, sports, and the media, build on the bond of Buddhist exchanges and deepen people-to-people and sister-city exchanges. China will continue to extend support for developing the health sector in Sri Lanka. China’s Yunnan Province will continue to send medical teams to Sri Lanka to carry out the Brightness Action program.
The Chinese side commends Sri Lanka’s positive response to President Xi Jinping’s proposal of the Asian Initiative for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Sri Lanka’s participation in the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia. China will further promote bilateral cultural heritage cooperation with Sri Lanka under the Alliance.
The two sides recognize judicial, law enforcement, and security cooperation as an important component of bilateral cooperation and stand ready to jointly crack down on cross-border crimes such as telecom fraud and online gambling. China is ready to do its best to support capacity building in Sri Lanka’s judicial, law enforcement, and security areas and provide assistance with police supplies.
Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and actively participating in developing a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, just after the end of the Second World War. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to jointly upholding the international system with the U.N. at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. The two sides will adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and work toward a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress for all countries.
During the visit, the two sides signed cooperation documents in agriculture, tourism, livelihood assistance, the media, and other areas.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appreciated the Chinese Government and people for the warm hospitality extended to him and the Sri Lankan delegation and invited the Chinese leadership to visit Sri Lanka. The Chinese leadership expressed appreciation for the kind invitation, and the two sides agreed to maintain communication via diplomatic channels.
