China confident SL will surely overcome temporary difficulties soon

China said that Sri Lanka will ‘surely overcome the temporary difficulties as soon as possible and usher in renewed and greater development.

“It is believed that with the concerted efforts of the Sri Lankan government and people, the country will surely overcome the temporary difficulties as soon as possible and usher in renewed and greater development,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told media.

State Councilor and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit recently visited Sri Lanka and held discussions with the Sri Lankan leaders.

“Wang said that China-Sri Lanka friendship enjoys a long history, and the Rubber-Rice Pact demonstrates the two countries’ national character in the fight against hegemony and power politics. President Xi Jinping’s historic state visit to Sri Lanka in 2014 opened a new chapter in bilateral friendly cooperation. China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,” the spokesman said.

He further said “We will make good use of the two flagship projects of Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port to help Sri Lanka realize its “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”, and better deliver benefit to the two countries and peoples.”

In response to question that will China meet Sri Lanka’s request for debt relief? Some people also believe that part of why Sri Lanka is struggling economically is due to expensive joint Chinese investments that are not profitable, the spokesman said that “ it is untrue to say that joint Chinese investments are expensive and not profitable. China-Sri Lanka cooperation is mutually beneficial and has been warmly welcomed by all sectors in Sri Lanka.”

Commenting on the debt issue Spokesman Wenbin said “since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Sri Lanka have been showing each other understanding and support. China has been providing assistance to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development to the best of its capacity and will continue to do so in the future.”