China committed to helping Sri Lanka overcome pandemic – Ambassador Qi Zhenhong

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong yesterday thanked Sri Lanka for standing by China during the COVID-19 crisis and that China was committed to helping Sri Lanka overcome the pandemic.

Zhenhong said Sri Lanka and China as good neighbours, good friends and good partners, had stood together and extended each other a helping hand in fighting COVID-19.

He said: “This has once again proved the age old adage that ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’. We have written a magnificent chapter of fighting together against COVID-19 in the history of China-Sri Lanka relations in particular. We will never forget that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gifted Ceylon Tea to China, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa organised a pirith ceremony to invoke blessings on the people of Wuhan,while all Sri Lankan friends from different religions and ethnic groups have been praying for China.”

The Ambassador added that in 2020, China and Sri Lanka had maintained close high-level exchanges, and enhanced mutual political trust. “Guided by the important consensus reached by our leaders, we join hands to respond to the challenging international and regional situation. We promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative, together with the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour,” he said.

Zhenhong added that the two countries could continue strengthening strategic communication, expanding practical cooperation, and jointly bringing China-Sri Lanka relations to a higher level in the years to come.