Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wei Huaxiang has held a special meeting with General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte.

Ambassador Wei, who presented his credentials on August 25, expressed appreciation for the warm welcome he received from the Sri Lankan people following his arrival in the country. He said he had not felt like a stranger in Sri Lanka and expressed his intention to further strengthen bilateral relations during his tenure.

The meeting also focused on the longstanding friendship and diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and China. The two countries will mark 70 years of diplomatic relations next year, while the historic China-Sri Lanka Rubber-Rice Pact, signed in 1952, will mark its 75th anniversary.

Discussions also covered the new government’s anti-corruption initiatives and the “Praja Shakthi” programme, which aims to address rural poverty. The two sides exchanged views on how Sri Lanka could benefit from China’s experience in poverty alleviation.

Ambassador Wei said China engages with other countries while respecting their sovereignty and seeking mutual development.

He also said he would encourage Chinese investors to increase their investments in Sri Lanka in the future.

Sharing his personal experience, the Ambassador said China’s development path under the leadership of the Communist Party of China had enabled people from difficult rural backgrounds, including himself, to pursue opportunities and eventually serve as diplomats.

Both sides agreed to continue working towards further strengthening the friendship and bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China during the meeting.