Chinese Ambassador meets with Foreign Minister, discusses China-SL FTA

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chinese Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong met with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (18).

The Chinese Embassy stated that the two dignitaries highly appraised the mutual understanding and support which remained between Sri Lanka and China at the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which concluded recently.

Prof. G.L. Peiris, who chairs the newly founded Cabinet Sub Committee on Economic Way Forward initiate with China and several other countries, explored the potential of financial and trade collaboration in the meeting with the Chinese Ambassador.

The Cabinet Sub Committee recently discussed on the topic of expediting the Free Trade Agreement between China and Sri Lanka.

During the meeting, a first day cover issued by the Chinese authorities to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact between the two countries in 1952, was handed over to the Foreign Minister by the Chinese Ambassador.

Foreign Minister Peiris commended the support extended by the Government of China during the recently held 49th Human Rights Council. Minister Peiris also recalled the support extended by China during previous Human Rights Councils and expressed confidence abd hope that China would extend support when required in the future as well.

The Foreign Minister also stated that the President has appointed three committees to resolve the ongoing food, medicine and cement shortages.

Ambassador Qi while stating that China had signed over 26 FTAs, expressed that finalising the proposed FTA between Sri Lanka and China would immensely benefit the Sri Lankan local market and products. He also urged the Sri Lankan authorities to resume the 7th round of FTA negotiations at the earliest.

The Chinese Ambassador also thanked the Foreign Minister and expressed utmost satisfaction in the organising of a successful official visit for the State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, to Sri Lanka in late December 2021. He also thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for issuing a commemorative coin on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Community Party.