The relationship between China and Sri Lanka has entered a new stage of comprehensive cooperation, said Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing Wednesday.

 

Wen made the remarks while meeting with visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

 

The two countries should "take the opportunity to consolidate traditional friendship and promote mutually beneficial cooperation," Wen said, calling for more reciprocal investments and cooperation in the areas of agriculture, fishery, tourism, infrastructure, and energy.

 

Top legislator Wu Bangguo held a separate meeting with Rajapakse on Wednesday, pledging further parliamentary exchanges to facilitate result-oriented trade cooperation and better bilateral relations.

 

The two countries signed eight agreements on economic cooperation, investment, movies, agriculture, and eye cornea donations after President Hu Jintao held one-hour talks with Rajapakse on Tuesday.

 

Rajapakse, on his first China visit since taking office, vowed to enhance bilateral ties that have borne marked fruits.

 

Total trade volume between China and Sri Lanka reached US$1.44129 billion in 2006, increasing by 16.9 percent over the previous year, including US$1.10646 billion of exports and US$34.83 million of imports.

 

Rajapakse presented two corneas, a replica of a Buddha statue and a five-year-old male elephant to China as gifts for the 50 years anniversary of diplomatic ties. The corneas, from Sri Lanka's renown "Eye Bank," will be donated to a Beijing hospital.

 

During his weeklong visit, Rajapakse will also visit China's business hub Shanghai, Guangzhou, capital of southern Guangdong Province, and central Hubei Province.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2007)