China hosts Sri Lanka's opposition leader

United National Party (UNP) leader Wickramasinghe met senior leader of the CPC, Zhou Yongkang who is part of the nine member Standing Committee that virtually rules China.

CPC vowed to enhance party-to-party exchanges with Sri Lanka so as to promote common development, Zhou told Wickremesinghe during their meeting.

Zhou hailed the current China-Sri Lanka ties, saying it has become an example of friendly cooperation between countries with different social systems.

He spoke highly of Sri Lanka's political, economic and social development since the end of domestic armed conflicts three years ago, noting that China will boost exchanges with Sri Lanka's parties, including the UNP, state-run Xinhua newsagency reported.

Though China regularly hosts Sri Lankan government officials, CPC this time invited Wickramasinghe to firm up ties with UNP.

Wickremesinghe, former prime minister of Sri Lanka, voiced appreciation for the CPC's achievements in leading the country's development, vowed to learn from China's experiences and thanked China for its constant support, the Xinhua report said.