Li Keqiang Speaks with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on the Phone

On the afternoon of April 22, 2022, Premier Li Keqiang had a phone conversation with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Ziguang Pavilion of Zhongnanhai leadership compound at the latter's request.

Li Keqiang said, China and Sri Lanka are strategic cooperative partners featuring profound traditional friendship. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance among developing countries, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and push for sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

Li Keqiang pointed out, China relates deeply to the difficulties and challenges faced by Sri Lanka, and stands ready to provide much-needed livelihood assistance within its capacity for Sri Lanka. China is ready to play a constructive role in the steady economic and social development of Sri Lanka based on the principle of non-interference in its internal affairs and on the premise of respecting Sri Lanka's will. China supports continuous progress in bilateral practical cooperation projects, and hopes for an early start of the negotiation and conclusion of the free trade agreement, so as to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation.

Mahinda thanked China for providing emergency humanitarian assistance for Sri Lanka and appreciated China's strong support to Sri Lanka at its trying times. He said, Sri Lanka is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in finance, economy and trade, tourism and other fields, advance the negotiation of the bilateral free trade agreement, and constantly deepen bilateral cooperation.

Wang Yi and He Lifeng attended the above activity.