Maithri flies to China while 4 Chinese delegations due to arrive here

  Who says Chinese authorities are miffed with Sri Lanka over the controversial Colombo Port City and other projects under probe? Just as President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday flew to China on an official visit, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) said four business delegations from four different provinces in China are visiting Sri Lanka between March 26 and April 1. The CCC said the delegations will be facilitated by the Sri chamber-affiliated Sri Lanka - China Business Council. The delegations are representing the Chinese provinces of Shenyang, Shandong, Liaoning and Yunnan and these visits are also expected to help cultivate relationships between the individual provinces and Sri Lankan business entities, the chamber said. The delegations are expected to hold meetings with the members of the Sri Lanka – China Business Council, Sri Lankan businessmen, officials of the Export Development Board and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka. “The Chinese business delegations have expressed their interest to meet up local counterparts who are engaged in travel, automobiles, aluminium, heavy industries, furniture, imports and exports among many other areas of interests. An MOU also will be signed between the Liaoning Province and Sri Lanka towards strengthening the economic cooperation between the two provinces,” the CCC statement said. Earlier this week, the Hong Kong Culture and Economy Promotion Association for international cities, visited Sri Lanka and held meetings with the local counterparts, the chamber said.