Phnom Penh, 6 August 2022 (TDI): The State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, met with the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry, in Cambodia on the sidelines of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Regional Forum.
🇱🇰 FM #AliSabry met 🇨🇳 SC&FM #WangYi for a bilateral mtg and discussed long-lasting friendly relations. 🇨🇳 pledged to support 🇱🇰 overcome its debt situation through dialogue and move towards econ recovery and stability.#DiplomacyLk #lka@MFA_China pic.twitter.com/fd7yAJ1zpr
— MFA SL 🇱🇰 (@MFA_SriLanka) August 6, 2022
During the meeting, top diplomats from both countries spoke highly of the long-standing bilateral friendship. Chinese Foreign Minister said China and Sri Lanka have enjoyed a long-standing and traditional friendship.
Foreign Minister Yi said the Chinese government and people have provided multiple batches of emergency humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the Foreign Minister said that China will continue to extend assistance to Sri Lanka through bilateral and multilateral channels.
Additionally, Yi said that China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty and independence. Moreover, the Minister added that China will help Sri Lanka in resolving its debt problem through consultation, maintaining policy continuity and realizing economic recovery.
Wang Yi added that history has proven and will continue to prove that China will never do anything to harm Sri Lanka’s interests. Moreover, Yi referred to the country as Sri Lanka’s sincere and reliable friend.
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Sri Lankan Foreign Minister’s remarks
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister thanked the Chinese government for their timely assistance to Sri Lanka in times of difficulty. The Minister said Sri Lanka cherishes its friendship with China and firmly adheres to the one-China principle.
Sabry added that Sri Lanka opposes any action that interferes with China’s internal affairs and stokes tensions. Additionally, the Minister said that Sri Lanka would not have achieved development at all without China’s help. Referring to Chinese investment, Sabry said that Sri Lanka will protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors.
