China reiterated its support to Sri Lanka at UNHRC and economic assistance

China reiterated its support to Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council and continuous assistance as Sri Lanka confronts a critical economic challenge during a meeting with a senior Chinese official and Sri Lankan envoy to China.

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Mr. Luo Zhaohui last week assured China’s continuing support to the country, according to the Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing.

The long discussion that followed included cooperation and mutual support in international fora, in economic matters for post Covid-19 recovery, effective management of the Covid-19 pandemic and future high-level visits.

Vice Minister Luo warmly welcomed the Ambassador and stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China will continue to extend its fullest support to the Ambassador in Beijing and effusively acknowledged his long standing connections with China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry will proactively support efforts to increase Chinese tourism to Sri Lanka and more businesses, including SOEs, to invest in the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Industrial Zone.
The Vice Minister acknowledged that it was time for these two Chinese supported ventures to get off the ground.

Both parties agreed that the recommencement of negotiations on the bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the view to concluding it soon would be advantageous to Sri Lanka, a statement from the Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing said.

Dr. Kohona also raised the issue of non-tariff barriers which are hindering access to the lucrative Chinese market for a range of natural, agricultural and industrial products.