Chinese President meets Harini Amarasuriya in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, during her visit to China to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women.

During the meeting, President Xi highlighted the longstanding friendship between China and Sri Lanka, noting that the two countries have maintained strong bilateral relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. He described the partnership as a model of mutual respect and cooperation between nations.

“China and Sri Lanka are fellow travelers on the path toward development and revitalization and good partners in win-win cooperation,” President Xi said, reaffirming that Sri Lanka remains a priority in China’s neighborhood diplomacy.

He added that China is committed to strengthening its ties with Sri Lanka through expanded cooperation in key sectors, including the port economy, modern agriculture, digital and green economies, and tourism, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

President Xi also reiterated China’s support for Sri Lanka’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, while pursuing a development path suited to its national context.

He called for enhanced cooperation in law enforcement and security to combat transnational crimes such as cross-border gambling and fraud. 

The two leaders also agreed to deepen collaboration in multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, to promote an “equal and orderly multipolar world” and a more inclusive form of globalization.

The discussions underscored both countries’ shared commitment to advancing mutual development and strengthening solidarity among nations of the Global South.