China on Tuesday appealed for social stability and economic progress in Sri Lanka.

"As a friendly neighbor, China has kept a close eye on how the Sri Lanka situation developed," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told the regular press conference.

"We sincerely hope Sri Lanka will make efforts to accomplish national reconciliation, social stability and economic progress," Ma said.

The Sri Lankan government launched its current military offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2006, resulting in the recapture of almost all of the 15,000-sq-kmterritory held by the LTTE.

On Monday, the Sri Lankan government forces announced its victory over the Tamil Tiger rebel group after it said Tamil rebel leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran had been killed.

In early May, China gave 1 million US dollars in humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka to help the displaced civilians. China's provision of 20-million-yuan tents also reached Sri Lanka on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2009)