President Xi Jinping, accompanied by First Lady, Madam Peng Liyuan and a high level official delegation arrived today in Sri Lanka on a two day State visit, at the invitation of President Rajapaksa. On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, President Xi and Madam Peng were warmly received by President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Later in the day, the Chinese dignitaries were accorded a colourful and elaborate ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Secretariat, prior to the commencement of official talks between the delegations, led by the two Presidents.

At the end of the official talks between the Sri Lankan and Chinese delegations, a Plan of Action to deepen the Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries was signed by the Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, Prof. G.L. Peiris and the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi. The two sides agreed to further enrich and deepen this partnership in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and support, and common aspirations for development of the two countries for the benefit of the peoples.  It may be recalled that both countries agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a ‘Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ during President Rajapaksa’s State visit to China in May 2013.

A number of Agreements covering bilateral economic cooperation, trade and commerce, power and energy, agriculture, education and culture were also signed today, which would further strengthen the robust relations between the two countries.

Following the signing ceremony, a Plaque of the Chinese Cultural Centre was unveiled and the two sides exchanged lists of ancient books from Sri Lanka and China.(KH)