China eagerly looking forward to PM’s visit: BOI

Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade (centre) and Sagala Ratnayaka, Minister of Southern Development and Law & Order with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin, special envoy for Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s forthcoming visit to Beijing is being eagerly awaited by the Chinese leadership as a timely opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, Sri Lanka’s Board of Investments (BoI) in a statement said. 
Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin has assured the Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama and Minister of Southern Development and Law & Order Sagala Ratnayaka, who are currently in China, that Chinese authorities are committed to achieving significant outcomes from the PM’s visit next month.
The upcoming visit would be Wickremasinghe’s second to Beijing as the Prime Minister, following a previous trip in 2003. 
He will be hosted by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.  The Sri Lankan premier will also meet with President Xi Jinping.
It is expected a joint statement would be issued at the end of the visit summarizing the issues covered. 
These are likely to include cooperation documents involving China’s assistance to Sri Lanka such as the support to build a kidney hospital as well as assurance related to China’s Maritime Silk Route Initiative.

Parallel events are also being planned to promote investment, trade and tourism during the PM’s visit, the BoI said. Minister Samarawickrama briefed Vice Minister Zhenmin on the acceleration of on-going Chinese projects in Sri Lanka and the government’s development plans which offer considerable opportunities for foreign direct investments (FDI), including from China. The scope for bilateral co-operation was also explored, particularly for catalyzing infrastructure investments. Minister Ratnayaka briefed the Chinese Vice Minister on specific opportunities in the Southern Province. The Chinese minister recognized the strength of the friendship between the two countries and said China was looking forward to strengthening the bilateral relationship further.