CIDCA vice-chairman visits Sri Lanka

A delegation led by Deng Boqing, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), paid a visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 7.

Deng paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and held meetings with the country's Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda, and Minister of Transport and Highways Bandula Gunawardane, with whom he held in-depth discussions on such topics as China-Sri Lanka bilateral relations, promoting the Belt and Road development and implementing the Global Development Initiative (GDI). They also exchanged views on cooperation in infrastructure, culture and education, and emergency humanitarian assistance.

The two sides signed memorandums of understanding on strengthening cooperation on the GDI implementation and emergency assistance, as well as cooperation documents on a series of projects, including an electronic data forensics lab.

During the trip, Deng also conducted field surveys to some China-aided projects, including the Memorial Bandaranaike International Conference Centre, the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, the China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Center for Water Technology, and the Colombo Port City. He also offered flowers to the tree of friendship between China and Sri Lanka planted by China's late premier Zhou Enlai.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Economic and Commercial Counsellor Li Guangjun, and Deputy Director-General of the CIDCA's First Department of Regional Affairs Zheng Yuandong also attended the above events.