China and Sri Lanka issued a joint press communiqué in Beijing Saturday at the end of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's state visit to China.

The two sides agreed that in the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Sri Lanka relations have enjoyed healthy and smooth growth, serving as a model of good relations among small and big countries.

The two sides would make joint efforts to push forward their all-round cooperation partnership of sincere mutual support and ever-lasting friendship, the joint communiqué said.

The year 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and is designated as "China-Sri Lanka friendship Year."

The joint communiqué said the two sides agreed to organize a series of activities to further increase friendly exchange, consolidate traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the China-Sri Lanka all-round cooperative partnership to an even higher level, including high level visit indifferent areas of activities.

The communiqué said the Sri Lankan side reiterated its consistent position that there is only one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.

The two sides resolved to fight tirelessly against the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism and will step up consultation and coordinating on regional and international counter-terrorism action.

It said the two sides agreed to consider practical steps during the next session of the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, including on encouraging Chinese trading companies to be more involved in the purchase of Sri Lankan items.

The Chinese side expressed readiness to give positive consideration to facilitating the financing of relevant projects for infrastructure improvement and economic development, it said.

The Sri Lankan side thanked the Chinese side for its support to Sri Lanka's economic and social development over the years and its generous assistance offered in the aftermath of tsunami.

The Chinese side expressed readiness to continue with its assistance to the best of its ability and encourage greater market access to Sri Lanka exports in China to reduce the present trade deficit in Sri Lanka.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen the exchange and cooperation in culture, tourism, education and other areas, according to the joint communiqué.

They welcomed the establishment of the Confucius Center at Kelaniya University in Sri Lanka and resolved to facilitate greater student exchanges for the promotion of the Chinese and Sinhalese languages in the two countries.

The Chinese side would provide 104 scholarships to Sri Lankan students for the 2007-2008 academic year, the joint communiqué said.

At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Rajapakse paid a state visit to China from February 26 to March 4.

The communiqué reviewed that in a friendly atmosphere, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest and reached broad consensus.

The communiqué said Rajapakse invited Hu to visit Sri Lanka. Hu expressed his willingness to visit Sri Lanka at a time of mutual convenience.

China, Sri Lanka Sign 8 Documents

China and Sri Lanka have signed eight agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOU) to enhance the bilateral cooperation in all areas, according to a joint press communiqué issued in Beijing Saturday.

Following are the series of documents signed during the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to China:

-- Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

-- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Construction of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

-- Agreement between City of Guangzhou of the People's Republic of China and District of Hambantota of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the Establishment of Friendship City Relationship

-- Memorandum of Understanding on Two-Way Investment Promotion Cooperation Between the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Board of Investment of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

-- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Film Industry between the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the People's Republic of China and the National Film Corporation, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

-- Memorandum of Understanding for the Donation of Eye Corneas and Promotion of Cooperation, Exchanges, Technical and Technology Transfer between the Red Cross Society of China and the Eye Donation Society of Sri Lanka

-- Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Mechanization Sciences and Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

-- Memorandum of Understanding of Academic Exchange between Beijing Foreign Studies University of the People's Republic of China and University of Kelaniya of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2007)