CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- According to Xinhua, Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lankan and leader of the United National Party met Yuan Jiajun, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee.

Yuan first conveyed the cordial greetings from President Xi Jinping to Wickremesinghe. He said that China and Sri Lanka, as friendly neighbors, have always respected each other and treated each other based on equality, serving as a model for countries with different systems to get along with each other in a friendly and mutually beneficial way. China is willing to work hand in hand with Sri Lankan at all levels to push forward the bilateral strategic partnership featuring sincerity, mutual assistance, and ever-lasting friendship to a new level. The CPC is ready to strengthen exchanges and mutual understanding with all political parties in Sri Lanka and contribute to the relations between the two countries and their respective development. Chongqing hopes to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka in the development of the New International Land-sea Corridor, jointly improve the level of opening up, enhance collaboration on poverty reduction, and promote high-quality economic and social development of both sides.

Wickremesinghe asked Yuan Jiajun to convey his best wishes to President Xi Jinping. China is a great friend of Sri Lanka, and we appreciate China for providing strong support for Sri Lanka's economic and social development over the years, said Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sri Lanka is willing to strengthen all-round practical cooperation with China, deepen inter-party and sub-national exchanges, push forward cooperation in the high-quality development of Belt and Road, and welcome Chongqing to invest in Sri Lanka.

At the invitation of the People's Front Party of Sri Lanka, Yuan Jiajun led a CPC delegation to visit Sri Lanka from July 19 to July 23. During the visit, Yuan met Prime Minister Gunawardena, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abeyawardena, former President Rajapaksa, and Chairman of the United National Force Party Premadasa, attended the China (Chongqing)-Sri Lanka Roundtable on Poverty Reduction and Development with Foreign Minister Sabri and other ministers, and participated in activities related to people's livelihood. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)