Sri Lanka, China ink 27 agreements to deepen strategic cooperative partnership

Sri Lanka and China have signed 27 agreements to further cooperation between the two nations.

At the end of official talks between the Sri Lankan and Chinese delegations, a plan of action to deepen the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries was signed by External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The two sides agreed to further enrich and deepen this partnership in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and support, and common aspirations for development of the two countries for the benefit of the peoples.

During discussions, the two sides reaffirmed their mutual support on issues of common interest and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability and development of their countries.

Speaking to media after the discussions, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka is happy to support the proposal by China, to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, having been located on the ancient maritime route between the east and west as recognized in the Mahinda Chintana - Vision for the Future.

"The elevation of our bilateral ties to that of a Strategic Cooperative Partnership has made a positive contribution to the advancement of our relations. The Plan of Action signed by the two Ministers of External Affairs will make the proposals we have discussed, a reality," Lanka Page quoted President Rajapaksa, as saying.