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China,
Lanka agree on Asian UN chief A joint communique issued at the end of Premier Wen Jiabao's two-day visit to Sri Lanka said that the two countries had agreed that on the expiry of the term of the current secretary general of the UN, the next secretary general should be from the Asian region, respecting the principle of geographic rotation. The Chinese premier's visit ended last evening with Beijing agreeing to grant Rs. 600 million to rebuild the tsunami-affected fisheries harbours. Six agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between the two countries during the Premier's visit. These included trade relationship development, economic and trade co-operation, ties in agriculture and assistance for the Hambantota bunkering system and tank farm project between the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and China Haunqiu Contracting and Engineering Corporation. China also agreed to set up a special export-processing zone in Sri Lanka exclusively for Chinese enterprises. During the Chinese delegation's short stay Sri Lanka reaffirmed that the Government of China was the sole legal Government representing China, and that Taiwan was an inalienable part of Chinese territory. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing left to New Delhi after the inauguration of the ceremonial opening of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies. A plaque renaming the BMICH as the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Centre was also unveiled during the ceremony to strengthen international ties. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar reminded the the gathering of the Sino-Lanka ties, specially during the Bandaranaike era, and how the BMICH was gifted as a token of friendship. A statue of China's former Prime Ministera Chu En Lai was also unveiled. |
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