China says it firmly supports Sri Lanka safeguarding its national interests.
The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan said that China has been actively involved in supporting Sri Lanka in various fields.
He said that China also firmly supported Sri Lanka to safeguard national interests and dignity and pursue the development and prosperity.
“Especially, after finally bringing an end to the 26-year civil conflict in 2009 ,Sri Lanka found itself severely suffering from war trauma and was almost torn to pieces. When standing and trembling on the war ruins, Sri Lanka called for urgent support from the international community to rebuild this beautiful country, but surprisingly found that most countries chose to remain silent and watch the situation go on with folded arms. At this critical moment, it was China once again that stepped forward with open arms to Sri Lanka and participated comprehensively and deeply in the post-war reconstruction of the country,” the Ambassador said.
He also noted that Sri Lanka always supports China firmly as well and Sri Lanka is the first country in South Asia to sign a trade agreement with China and also supported the restoration of China’s lawful seat in the United Nations.
“Successive governments of Sri Lanka stick to the One-China Principle, and support China to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity, support China’s position on South China Sea issue. Sri Lanka is also one of the first countries to publicly support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.
The Ambassador said this in a statement issued to mark the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations.
Cheng Xueyuan said that while some countries are still hesitating at the crossroads of cooperation or confrontation, openness or closure, win-win cooperation or zero-sum game, China and Sri Lanka are moving forward with each other, upholding the international order of openness and inclusiveness, mutual benefit and win-win results firmly.
He also said that the China-Sri Lanka cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has not only brought tangible benefits to the two countries and two peoples, but also brought new opportunities to regional development.
Courtesy: Colombo Gazette
