Photo:VCG

At the conference held by the Communist Party of China and major government and opposition political parties in Sri Lanka to celebrate the 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact, both sides reviewed the history of China-Sri Lanka relations and expressed their positive future expectations for bilateral relations. Representatives of the Sri Lankan political parties said that China's selfless assistance to Sri Lanka in difficult times and efforts to safeguard Sri Lanka's interests on the global stage have strengthened China-Sri Lanka relations.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, sent a congratulatory letter to the conference. In the letter, Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 65 years ago, the two countries have always respected, united with, and helped and supported each other on issues concerning their core interests. 

China-Sri Lanka relations have set a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes, and the CPC is ready to make joint efforts with all political parties in Sri Lanka to make greater contribution to the steady progress of bilateral relations and regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi wrote.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, former prime minister of Sri Lanka, said during the meeting that Sri Lanka will never forget China's help. China has supported and safeguarded Sri Lanka's interests in the United Nations and other international organizations and helped Sri Lanka in anti-terrorism and provided selfless assistance to Sri Lanka when the country was in chaos. 

All these efforts have helped improve the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. In the economic field, China has also helped Sri Lanka in infrastructure development. During the COVID-19 epidemic, China has also provided significant quantities of medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE). 

China-Sri Lanka relations are not only political and diplomatic in nature, but cover economic and cultural exchange. "We look forward to the convening of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and China's new achievements in promoting multilateralism," Wickremesinghe noted.

Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized that the Rubber-Rice Pact opened the door for friendly exchanges between the two countries. The spirit of independence, self-improvement, unity and mutual assistance embodied in the agreement has become a valuable asset for the development of China-Sri Lanka relations and guided them to move forward steadily.

Mangala Kuruppu, member of the political bureau of the People's Liberation Front, told the Global Times on Thursday that in early years, the CPC had struggled against imperialist forces, as did the People's Liberation Front, and both parties played a unique role in the fight against international imperialism and feudalism, which made parties in Sri Lanka naturally close to the CPC.

"We all share a common future, and we must work together for it. We have no way to avoid some common problems, and we can only work together to tackle the difficulties. That is why China's international initiatives have been supported and recognized all over the world under the leadership of general secretary of the CPC," Weerasinghe Geeganage, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka told the Global Times on Thursday.