Premier Wen Jiabao is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on Friday to further strengthen friendship between the two countries. 

The following are major events in the development of bilateral ties.

In 1952, Sri Lanka and China signed a trade agreement on rubber and rice.

On February 7, 1957, China and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations. Since then, the two countries have maintained friendly relations.

In 1957, the late Premier Zhou Enlai visited Sri Lanka.

In 1961, the then Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mme Bandaranaike visited China.

In 1964, the late Premier Zhou Enlai paid the second visit to Sri Lanka.

In 1972, the then Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mme Bandaranaike visited China.

In 1984, the then Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene visited China.

In 1990, former Premier Li Peng visited Sri Lanka.

In 2001, former Premier Zhu Rongji visited Sri Lanka.

In 2001, China's investment in Sri Lanka totaled US$13 million.  

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2005)