China urged to raise volume of goods purchased from Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s trade deficit with China is high and President  Gotabaya  Rajapaksa has sought for an increase in the volume of goods purchased from Sri Lanka to bring it down.

“Sri Lanka has a strong private sector. They manufacture various products. Open the Chinese market for these items,” said the president.

His remarks came as the head of a high-level delegation from the People’s Republic of China assured President Rajapaksa China’s continued assistance to Sri Lanka for the success of the country’s development drive.

The seven- member delegation led by Yang Jiechi,  Politburo member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee called on President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

“Encourage Chinese investors to invest in Sri Lanka. Promote Chinese people to visit Sri Lanka. If China can participate in the Sri Lanka’s tea auction, it will be a major boost to economic stability.” the president remarked during the talks.

The head of the delegation said that China will firmly stand with Sri Lanka extend to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity at international fora including UN Human Rights Council.

The present status of bilateral relations between China and Sri Lanka is highly satisfactory. Maintaining and promoting this friendship is a key priority of President Xi Jingping.

Holding several high-level positions at China’s Foreign Ministry, Mr. Jiechi served as Chinese Ambassador to the US from 2001-2005 and Foreign Minister of China from 2007-2013. His current position in the Chinese administrations is equivalent to Vice Premier level.