On the afternoon of January 15, President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China held talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka, who is on a state visit to China, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Sri Lanka have a traditional friendship. Over the past 68 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relations between the two countries have always maintained healthy and stable development, setting an example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation among different countries. With the joint efforts of both sides, the strategic partnership of sincere mutual assistance and friendship from generation to generation between China and Sri Lanka has been continuously deepening, and the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries. At present, China-Sri Lanka relations are facing a historical opportunity to carry forward the past and forge ahead into the future. Both sides should grasp the China-Sri Lanka relations from a strategic height and jointly build a community with a shared future for China and Sri Lanka.

Xi Jinping stressed that China has always regarded Sri Lanka as an important direction in its neighborhood diplomacy and will, as always, support Sri Lanka in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and support Sri Lanka in independently exploring a development path that suits its national conditions. China is willing to deepen political mutual trust with Sri Lanka, exchange experience in governance, and strengthen dialogue and communication among various departments of the two countries. China's further comprehensive deepening of reform and promotion of Chinese path to modernization will bring new opportunities for Sri Lanka's development. China will actively support Sri Lanka in focusing on economic construction, promoting cooperation in such fields as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, modern agriculture, digital economy and marine economy, and creating new highlights. It is necessary to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two sides and enhance the "people-to-people bond" between the two peoples. China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Sri Lanka in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, jointly address major issues related to human development such as climate change, adhere to the unity and self-strengthening of the Global South, and contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Dissanayake said that he is very glad to visit China at the beginning of the new year. Sri Lanka admires China's major development achievements in the fields of economy, science and technology, and infrastructure. China has always been a reliable friend and partner of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to its relations with China, firmly abides by the one-China principle, and is grateful to China for its valuable support to Sri Lanka in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests. Sri Lanka is committed to jointly building the Belt and Road, helping to improve regional connectivity, welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Sri Lanka, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, finance, poverty reduction, digital transformation, tourism, marine affairs and personnel training. China is an important leading country in the Global South and plays a constructive role in international affairs. Sri Lanka is willing to continue to strengthen coordination and mutual support with China on multilateral occasions and safeguard common interests.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents, including the Belt and Road cooperation plan, agricultural products export to China, social livelihood, and news, radio and television.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Dissanayake in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

21 gun salutes were fired in Tiananmen Square and the honor guards lined up to pay tribute. The two heads of state stepped onto the reviewing stand and the military band played the national anthems of China and Sri Lanka. Accompanied by Xi Jinping, Dissanayake reviewed the honor guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past.

That evening, Xi Jinping held a welcome banquet for Dissanayake in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi participated in the above activities.（Outlook New Era）