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China has reaffirmed its continued
support to Sri Lanka in its efforts to safeguard the
country’s sovereignty, national unity and the
territorial integrity against terrorist forces. China
welcomed the positive steps taken by the Government
of Sri Lanka to reach a peaceful resolution of ethnic
issues through negotiations.
This is one aspect in the far reaching
agreements reached between China and Sri Lanka during
the six-day State Visit to China by Sri Lankans President
Mahinda Rajapaksa.
China and Sri Lanka resolved to fight
tirelessly against the three evil forces of terrorism,
separatism and extremism and to step up consultation
and coordination on regional and international counter-terrorism
action, states the Joint Communique issued by the China
and Sri Lanka at the conclusion of President’s
State Visit.
Sri Lanka and China have noted with
satisfaction the positive progress achieved in all areas
of cooperation including political affairs, economic
and trade relations, culture, tourism and education,
and agreed to make joint efforts to push forward their
all-round cooperative partnership of sincere mutual
support and ever-lasting friendship.
The Sri Lanka has reiterated One
China Policy, consistent in its position that there
is only one China in the world, that the Government
of the People’s Republic of China is the sole
legal government representing the whole of China and
that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.
Following is the text of the Joint
Communique:
JOINT PRESS COMMUNIQUE OF
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE DEMOCRATIC
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA
1. At the invitation of His Excellency
Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic
of China, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President
of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka paid
a state visit to the People’s Republic of China
from 26th February to 4th March 2007.
2. During the visit President Rajapaksa
held talks with President Hu Jintao and met with Wu
Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National
People’s Congress, Wen Jiabao, Premier of the
State Council, Xu Yongyue, Minister of State Security
and leading officials from other ministries.
In Beijing, President Rajapaksa and
Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the
Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
attended the reception celebrating the 50th anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the
two countries and the “China-Sri Lanka Friendship
Year”. President Rajapaksa also visited Shanghai,
Guangzhou and the three Gorges.
3. In a friendly atmosphere, the
two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as
well as regional and international issues of mutual
interest and reached broad consensus.
The two sides agreed that in the
50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations,
China-Sri Lanka relations have continued to strengthen
despite changes in international environment and enjoyed
healthy and smooth growth, serving as a model of good
relations among small and big
countries.
The development of China-Sri Lanka
good-neighbourly and friendly relations not only serve
the common interests of the two peoples but also contributes
to the peace, stability an development in the region.
4. The two sides noted with satisfaction
the positive progress achieved in all areas of cooperation
including political affairs, economic and trade relations,
culture, tourism and education. The two sides would
make joint efforts to push forward their all-round cooperative
partnership of sincere mutual support and ever-lasting
friendship.
5. The year 2007 marks the 50th anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the
two countries and is designated as “China-Sri
Lanka Friendship Year”. The two sides agreed to
organize a series of activities to further increase
friendly exchange, consolidate traditional friendship,
strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote
the China-Sri Lanka all-round cooperative partnership
to an even higher level, including high level visits
in different areas of activities.
During the visit, the Sri Lankan
President presented to the Chinese people a stone replica
of a 3rd century Sri Lankan Samadhi Buddha statue to
be placed at the Lingguang Temple. The two sides welcomed
increased exchanges in respect of Buddhist activities
including the World Buddhist Forum held in Hangzhou.
The relevant departments of the Chinese Government would
look carefully into the proposal of the Sri Lankan side
on establishing an International Buddhist Zone in Sri
Lanka and would be ready to maintain communication with
the Sri Lankan side on this matter.
The President also gifted a baby
elephant to the Beijing Zoo and eye corneas to the Chinese
Red Cross.
The Chinese side extended gratitude
for these friendly gestures and considered them demonstrations
of the warm friendship of the Sri Lankan Government
and people to the Chinese Government and people.
6. The Sri Lankan side reiterated
its consistent position that there is only one China
in the world, that the Government of the People’s
Republic of China is the sole legal government representing
the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable
part of the Chinese territory. Sri Lanka remains firmly
committed to the one China policy, opposes any form
of ‘Taiwan independence’ including ‘de
jure independence’ and opposes participation of
Taiwan in any international and regional organizations
which are composed of sovereign states. Respecting each
other’s concerns, Sri Lanka will not develop any
official link with Taiwan and supports all efforts by
the Chinese Government
to achieve national reunification. The Chinese side
highly appreciates the above position of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan side briefed the Chinese
side on the domestic situation in Sri Lanka and action
being taken in the interest of peace and harmony against
terrorism. The Chinese side reaffirmed that it would
continue to support Sri Lanka in its efforts to safeguard
the country’s sovereignty, national unity and
the territorial integrity against terrorist forces.
They welcomed the positive steps taken by the Government
of Sri Lanka to reach a peaceful resolution of ethnic
issues through negotiations.
7. The two sides resolved to fight
tirelessly against the three evil forces of terrorism,
separatism and extremism and will step up consultation
and coordinating on regional and international counter-terrorism
action. The two sides emphasized that expanded economic
cooperation and trade would be conducive to the common
progress and prosperity of the two countries and that
bilateral economic cooperation and trade should be further
strengthened by fully tapping potential and seeking
new ways on the basis of the current cooperation. To
this end, the two sides agreed to consider practical
steps during the next session of the Joint Committee
on Trade and Economic
Cooperation, including on encouraging Chinese trading
companies to be more involved in the purchase of Sri
Lankan items.
Understanding the desire and request
of Sri Lanka Government for infrastructure improvement
and economic development, the Chinese side expressed
readiness to give positive consideration to facilitating
the financing of relevant projects.
The Sri Lankan side expressed deep
gratitude for assistance given through technical support
and financial facilities for major infrastructure projects
in Sri Lanka including the Puttalam Coal Power Project
on which work has commenced, and other infrastructure
projects and supplies on which
decisions have been already taken.
It was noted that discussions have
proceeded on the Hambantota Development Zone which includes
habour development, a bunkering system and tank farm,
and positive progress had been made between the Chinese
companies concerned and the Sri Lankan authorities.
The Chinese side assured it would
encourage and facilitate financial institutions to effectively
examine feasibility reports and other aspects on the
priority projects to enable the early commencement.
8. The Sri Lankan side thanked the Chinese side for
its support to Sri Lanka’s economic and social
development over the years and its generous assistance
offered in the aftermath of Tsunami.
The Chinese side expressed readiness
to continue with its assistance for Sri Lanka’s
economic and social development to the best of its ability.
The Chinese side would encourage greater market access
to Sri Lanka exports in China to reduce the present
trade deficit of Sri Lanka.
9. The two sides agreed to further
strengthen the exchange and cooperation culture, tourism,
education and other areas. They agreed to take steps
for the implementation of the Agreement signed in September
2005 with the Chinese National Tourism Authority for
tourism promotional activities.
They welcomed the establishment of
the Confucius Center at Kelaniya University in Sri Lanka
and resolved to facilitate greater student exchanges
for the promotion of the Chinese and Sinhalese Languages
in the two countries. The Chinese side would provide
104 scholarships to Sri Lankan students for the 2007-2008
academic year.
10. The two sides expressed satisfaction
at their good cooperation in regional and international
affairs. The Chinese side welcomed Sri Lanka’s
formal participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
in 2007. The Sri Lankan side welcomed China’s
associating with the South Asian Association
for regional cooperation (SAARC) as an observer. The
two sides expressed their willingness to further increase
their consultation and coordination in regional and
international affairs.
11. The following Agreements and
Memorandums of Understanding were signed during the
visit:
i. Agreement on Economic and Technical
Cooperation between the Government of the People’s
Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
ii. Memorandum of Understanding between
the Ministry of Construction of the People’s Republic
of China and the Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred
Area Development of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka.
iii. Agreement between city of Guangzhou
of the People’s Republic of China and District
of Hambantota of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka on the establishment of Friendship City Relationship.
iv. Memorandum of Understanding on
Two-way investment promotion cooperation Between the
Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce
of the People’s Republic of China and the Board
of Investment of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka.
v. Memorandum of Understanding on
Cooperation in the Film Industry between the Film Bureau
of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television,
of the People’s Republic of China and the National
Film Cooperation, of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka.
vi. Memorandum of Understanding for
the Donation of Eye Corneas and Promotion of Cooperation,
Exchanges, Technical and Technology Transfer between
the Red Cross Society of China and the Eye Donation
Society of Sri Lanka.
vii. Memorandum of Understanding
between the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization
Sciences and Department of Agricultural of the Ministry
of Agriculture of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka.
viii. Memorandum of Understanding
on Academic Exchanges between Beijing Foreign Studies
University of the People’s Republic of China and
University of Kelaniya of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa
expressed his heart-felt thanks to the Government and
people of the People’s Republic of China for the
warm hospitality accorded to him and the Sri Lankan
delegation. President Rajapaksa invited President Hu
Jintao to visit Sri Lanka. President Hu
Jintao thanked President Rajapaksa for the invitation
and expressed his willingness to visit Sri Lanka at
a time of mutual convenience.
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