CHINA HAS NEVER INTERFERED IN SL'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS - BASIL
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, during a meeting with the new Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao, said that China had stood by Sri Lanka during both war time and peacetime and never interfered in the internal affairs of the country.
The Chinese Ambassador suggested that a comprehensive plan on economic cooperation between China and Sri Lanka be prepared to be signed by the leaders of the two countries. He said many Chinese investors were interested in investing in Sri Lanka and establishing trade and commercial ventures here.
He suggested this when he paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Basil Rohana Rajapaksa, Senior Advisor to the President and Minister of
Mr. Rajapaksa thanked the Chinese government and the Chinese people for the generous support extended to the country
Economic Development, in order to discuss economic and trade cooperation between China and Sri Lanka, on Friday at the Ministry of Economy Development.
The minister and the ambassador agreed to have Sri Lankan days in Beijing, Shanghai and Canton in order to carry out awareness drives on tourism, investment and commodities such as tea and spices. Pharmaceuticals, apparel, the textile industry, tourism, real estate development and food security systems for other coun- tries were some of the fields identified for Chinese investment at the discussion.
Mr. Rajapaksa thanked the Chinese government and the Chinese people for the generous support extended to the country throughout the difficult times and the good times during the longstanding friendship between the two countries. China had stood by Sri Lanka during the conflict time as well as the peace time, he said.
"China didn't bring unnecessary pressure on Sri Lanka but always stood by Sri Lanka in the International arena," he said.
Immediately after the ending of terrorism China helped Sri Lanka to initiate big new development projects. China was involved in many development projects in Sri Lanka, with her own funds extended to Sri Lanka as development assistance but some projects were offered to China as a result of international bidding he said.
Ambassador Wu Jianghao said China would never forget the help extended by Sri Lanka during some critical times.
The relationship between the two countries began 1600 years ago and it strengthened since then day by day. Sri Lanka had signed the *Rubber- Rice pact when other countries had stopped selling rubber to China, he said.