The Chinese government will grant 50 million yuan (US$7.31 million) to Sri Lanka for economic and technical cooperation, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told reporters in Colombo on Wednesday.

He said the grant will be provided by China to Sri Lanka under an agreement of economic and technical cooperation signed earlier in Colombo between the two governments.

During his talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Rohitha Bogollagama, the two sides agreed to maintain high-level contacts and expand multi-level associations between the two countries' legislatures, political parties, foreign ministries and local governments.

They also agreed to expand the two countries' cooperation in education, tourism and continue to carry out cooperative projects such as the Hambantota Port and Norochcholai Power Plant.

In international fora, the two sides will strengthen their coordination and defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing nations.

Yang arrived in Colombo Tuesday evening for a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Bogollagama.

He also called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake during his stay in Colombo.

The Chinese foreign minister left Colombo for Beijing Wednesday afternoon.

(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2008)