China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told media Wednesday that parliamentary election in Sri Lanka went on steadily and smoothly.
Congratulating the victory of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party, the spokesperson expressed optimism that Sri Lanka will achieve greater progress in its economic and social development under the new government.
"We want to express our congratulations. We believe that under the leadership of the new government, Sri Lanka will achieve greater progress in its economic and social development," she said.
"The good friendship and partnership between China and Sri Lanka have withstood the test of time. The friendly cooperation between the two countries meets the fundamental interests of the two sides, and echoes the common aspiration of the two peoples," she added.
The spokesperson said the Chinese side sets great store by its relations with Sri Lanka.
"It stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to consolidate the traditional friendship, strengthen mutually-beneficial cooperation, and elevate China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperation partnership to a new level," she said.