Ranil reiterates commitment to strengthening ties with China

UNP Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met several top Chinese officials during his recent visit to China and reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening the long-standing relations between the two nations. He also undertook a visit to Tibet.

Among those whom Mr.Wickremesinghe met in Beijing on Thursday was a top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin where the Chinese leader vowed to consolidate the ties between the two nations.

Mr. Qinglin who is also the chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, which is China’s foremost advisory board also hailed the growing bonds in China–Sri Lanka relations.

Mr.Wickremesinghe’s undertook the visit on an invitation of the Chinese Government as the two countries marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said he was immensely impressed by China’s remarkable progress and expressed his appreciation of China’s long term policy to support Sri Lanka. He expressed his willingness to develop party exchanges with the Chinese Communist party.

Mr.Wickremesinghe recalled that China had always come to Sri Lanka assistance whenever the country had fallen into difficult situations and said it was a good example for other nations to follow.

In Tibet the Opposition Leader held talks with Tibet People’s Government President Chamba Funtso. Talks were also held at the Communist Party headquarters in the capital Lhasa between the UNP delegation and the Chairman of the Tibet Government. Mr. Wickremesinghe singled out Tibet’s care for environmental issues when developing the country and he envisaged a exchange of members of the UNP and Communist Party members of Tibet. According to Chinese officials, this is the first time a Sri Lankan leader was taken to Lhasa City which is situated over 3600 metres above sea level.

The Tibetan leader said that though there were cosmopolitan sections belonging to various nationalities and religions the Government was drawing up a plan to retain the unity between the different sections which helps in development. He said he was happy at the endeavour taken by the UNP to visit his country and exchange ideas, adding that development was due to unity and goodwill between Tibet, China and their people.

The Tibetan leader referred to the newly opened Shanghai-Tibet express railway which had improved the tourist industry by 30%. He said Tibet was prepared to facilitate tours between campus students and journalists.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said that it was a pleasure to see for himself the progress made by China in the last decade. Speaking about the current situation here the Opposition Leader said that a political solution was the need of the hour. The Opposition Leader was accompanied by MPs Vajira Abeywardena and Talata Athukorala.