Qin Gang Meets with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry

On June 25, 2023, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met in Beijing with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry.

Qin Gang said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka, the two sides have always respected and supported each other, setting a good example of friendly interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. China is ready to consolidate and expand its strategic cooperative partnership with Sri Lanka. The two sides should implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, keep close high-level exchanges, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and work for more and new achievements in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Sri Lanka's economic and social development and the improvement of people's livelihood.

Ali Sabry said that China is a great friend and important development partner. The Sri Lankan side cherishes the selfless assistance of the Chinese government and people to Sri Lanka's national independence and economic development over the years, and thanks the Chinese side for providing valuable support for Sri Lanka in handling the debt problem and overcoming temporary difficulties. Sri Lanka will continue to stay firmly committed to the one-China policy, ensure the success of Belt and Road projects, strengthen multilateral cooperation, work for greater development of strong and robust relations between Sri Lanka and China, and set an example in state-to-state relations. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to China's development opportunities and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Sri Lanka.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on international and regional issues of mutual interest and concern. Qin Gang pointed out that solidarity and cooperation are blessings while antagonism and confrontation are disasters. In the face of a complex and volatile situation, China will follow the guidance of a series of important global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, focus on the progress of all humanity, live in harmony with other countries, learn from each other, help each other succeed, and develop together, jointly safeguard regional and world peace, stability and prosperity, and join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind.