Cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is neither targeted at any third country nor will it affect the countries’ ties with others, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Friday after meeting his Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera.
On the issue of South China Sea, Mr. Wang explained his country’s position to Mr. Samaraweera while the latter said Sri Lanka wanted the issue to be settled through “constructive dialogue, consultation and cooperation by parties concerned in accordance with international laws and practices.” Mr. Samaraweera also appreciated China’s readiness to promote such a dialogue.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister described the Mr. Wang’s visit as the “first high-level visit” following the formation of the present coalition government.
President Maithiripala Sirisena went to China a few months following his election in January 2015. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Beijing this April.
Though the temporary suspension of the Colombo Port City project, a Chinese venture, became an issue in bilateral ties, it was subsequently overcome as the project was resumed.
