Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera issued a joint press communiqué in Beijing on Saturday evening.

The joint press communiqué said at the invitation of Li, Samaraweera paid an official visit to China from July 12 to 16.

Samaraweera called on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and held in-depth talks with Li.

Samaraweera also met with Li Shenglin, minister of communications, Yu Guangzhou, vice minister of commerce, Shao Qiwei, chairman of China National Tourism Administration, Li Ruogu, president of the Export-Import Bank of China and Yuan Xingpei, chairman of China-Sri Lanka Friendship Group of China's National People's Congress.

Samaraweera delivered a speech entitled "Future Orientations in China-Sri Lanka Relations in the Context of the Evolving Political and Economic Development of China" at China Institute of International Studies.

The joint communiqué said during the meetings, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two sides re-affirmed that China-Sri Lanka relations have enjoyed healthy and smooth growth on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence since the establishment of diplomatic relations 49 years ago.

The two countries have steadily increased mutual political trust, carried out fruitful economic and trade cooperation, and exchanged frequent visits at various levels, according to the communiqué.

In April 2005, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Sri Lanka. The two countries proclaimed the establishment of an All-round Cooperative Partnership featuring sincere mutual support and everlasting friendship.

It marked a new stage of growth in China-Sri Lanka relations, said the communiqué. Former President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge visited China in August 2005.

The two sides reviewed with satisfaction the progress made in bilateral exchanges and cooperation in political affairs, economy and trade, culture, tourism and other areas as well as their good cooperation in regional and international affairs, said the communiqué.

The two sides agreed to keep the momentum of high-level visits. The Chinese side welcomed a visit to China by H.E.Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, in 2007. The specific time of the visit would be decided upon through diplomatic channels, bearing in mind that diplomatic relations were formally established on February 7 of 1957.

The two sides decided that, as the year 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, it will be declared the Year of China-Sri Lanka Friendship.

The two sides agreed to hold a number of commemorative activities in each other's country to promote mutual understanding between the two peoples and strengthen their traditional friendship, details of which would be discussed between the Foreign Ministries and Embassies concerned, said the communiqué.

The two sides emphasized that expanded economic and trade cooperation would be conducive to the common progress and prosperity of the people of the two countries and that bilateral economic cooperation including cooperation in trade and investment should be further strengthened.

The two sides expressed readiness to enhance friendly exchanges in technical development and training, energy exploration, tourism, education, cultural and religious affairs, youth exchanges and in the academic field, and to seek new ways to deepen cooperation in these fields, based on agreements already signed.

The communiqué said the two sides welcomed increased participation by Chinese enterprises in infrastructure and development projects in Sri Lanka. Consultations were held to work out mutually acceptable facilities for financing of such projects on favorable terms and expediting their implementation.

The communiqué said the priority projects are the coal power project in Puttalam, the airport-city of Colombo highway, and the Harbor and Oil Storage bunkering port of Hambantota.

Samaraweera thanked the Chinese side for providing assistance for tsunami relief to Sri Lanka. The Chinese side expressed readiness to provide aid for Sri Lanka's economic and social development to the best of its ability, according to the communiqué.

Sri Lanka allocated an exploration block in the Mannar Basin to China for exploration of petroleum resources which was appreciated, said the communiqué.

The joint press communiqué said the two sides emphasized that China and Sri Lanka shared extensive common interests in regional and international affairs, and agreed to consult one another and enhance coordination in this regard.

The Sri Lankan side welcomed China's status as an observer of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and would continue to promote cooperation between China and SAARC, said the communiqué.

The Chinese side appreciated Sri Lanka's stand and reiterated its readiness to conduct exchanges and cooperation with SAARC on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

The Chinese side expressed support for Sri Lanka's participation in regional and sub-regional cooperation, according to the communiqué.

The two sides agreed to continue coordinate their positions on the reform of the United Nations and the Security Council. Both sides maintained that Asian countries should deepen mutual understanding, strengthen solidarity and enhance cooperation in order to ensure that the next Secretary-General of the United Nations will be from Asia.

The communiqué said the Sri Lankan side reiterated that there is but one China, 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 reiterated that it opposes "Taiwan independence" in whatever form, and will not have any official contacts with Taiwan. Sri Lanka stressed for all efforts made by the Chinese Government to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and China's early reunification, said the communiqué.

The Chinese side highly appreciated this position of Sri Lanka.

Samaraweera briefed the Chinese side on the peace process of Sri Lanka. The Chinese side reaffirmed that it would continue to support Sri Lanka in its efforts to defeat terrorism and to safeguard the sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of the country.

The two sides reaffirmed their opposition to the three evil forces of Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism and discussed measures to increase their consultation and coordination in regional and international anti-terrorism activities.

The communiqué said Samaraweera thanked the Chinese side for the warm hospitality accorded him during his visit and extended an invitation to Li to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time. Li accepted the invitation with pleasure.

(XInhua News Agency July 16, 2006)