China assures continuous support for Sri Lanka to overcome economic & pandemic challenges

Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and  Speaker of the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China  Li Zhanshu assured Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that the Chinese government will do its utmost to help overcome the economic challenge as well as the COVID challenge in Sri Lanka. 
 
China’s Speaker Li Zhanshu stated the above at the first diplomatic meeting held yesterday  between the high-profile delegation of the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China and the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
 
The meeting which was held through video technology was attended by a number of high
profile officials of China including the third citizen of the People’s Republic of China and
close confidante of the President of China, Chairman of the National People’s
Congress (NPC) Standing Committee ( Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of the People’s
Republic of China)  Li Zhanshu, Wu Weihua, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing
Committee (Hon. Deputy Speaker),  Liu Kun, Hon. Finance Minister of the People’s
Republic of China. 
 
It was the first diplomatic discussion held by the Parliament of China
since the COVID pandemic. Apart from the Hon. Speaker representing the Parliament of Sri Lanka,  Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Hon. Leader of the House and Minister of Education, Dinesh Gunawardena, Hon. Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa, Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L Peiris, Hon. Minister of Youth & Sports Namal Rajapaksa, Hon. State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, Prof. Rohan Gunaratna were present at this discussion held.
 
Speaker Abeywardena sought the assistance of the Government of China in overcoming the economic challenges posed by the current COVID situation to which the Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee assured full support under the guidance of H.E the President of China, according to a statement issued by Speaker’s office. 
 
China will provide investment facilities for other investments, including the Colombo Port City Project Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee (Speaker of the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China) H.E. Li Zhanshu stated. 
 
The Speaker of the Parliament of the People’s Republic of China also assured that as Sri Lanka is a close friend of China, he would extend his fullest support to the Sri Lankan economy and is committed to furthering this discussion. Adding to it, he further stated that a delegation visits between the two countries once the COVID situation has settled would help enhance mutual cooperation.