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SL eyes cooperation with Chinese business to attract investments
View(s):Sri Lanka is looking forward to enhance its cooperation with the Chinese business community over a range of sectors, to attract more Chinese investment, said the head of a Chinese delegation attending the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) 2017 in Colombo yesterday.
WPCA Vice President Marina Jiang. Pix by Indika Handuwala
World Peace & Communications Association (WPCA) Vice President Marina Jiang, told a media briefing yesterday that Sri Lanka is a great friend of China and the two countries have enjoyed long and cordial relations since 1952.
The delegation comprising members of WPCA, State Institute of Governance and Peking University, participated in the second IOC held from August 31 to September 2. Around 35 countries participated at the two-day conference.
Ms Jiang said the Chinese delegation was meeting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today (3) for discussions. In reply to a question as to what the delegation hoped to discuss during the meeting, she said it was her belief the PM was keen to attract more investments from China, as well as to enhance cooperation with the Chinese business community, in sectors such as Information Technology (IT) and Education.
She praised Premier Wickremesinghe for promoting the cause for the Indian Ocean Region to be a more open and inclusive region that can work with everyone. She added she subscribed to Mr Wickremesinghe’s view that freedom of navigation in the region was key to ensuring peace, prosperity and security in the region.
Meanwhile, just before the commencement of the conference, India and China disengaged after a tense two-month standoff over a border dispute.
WPCA Secretary General Zhang Ji Yuan held bilateral meetings with IOC host, Ram Madhav- Director of India Foundation and National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janatha Party of India. On peace, progress and prosperity between India and China, Mr Madhav and WPCA both agreed on the need to increase people to people exchanges, to have better understanding between the two countries, Ms Jiang explained. She said this would help establish fast, effective communication to solve issues at an early stage. “The WPCA and India Foundation will be a bridge to facilitate such exchanges,” she added.