BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- China will actively support Sri Lanka in focusing on economic development and the two countries should jointly foster new highlights in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as cooperation in modern agriculture, digital economy and marine economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Wednesday.

China's efforts in further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization will bring new opportunities for Sri Lanka's development, Xi said when holding talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in China for a state visit.

Noting that China and Sri Lanka enjoy a traditional friendship, Xi said bilateral relations have maintained healthy and stable development over the past 68 years, setting an example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries.

With joint efforts, China and Sri Lanka have continuously promoted strategic cooperative partnership featuring mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, Xi said.

The two countries should have a keen grasp of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, he said.

Noting that China takes Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, Xi said that the country will continue to support Sri Lanka in maintaining its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China supports Sri Lanka in exploring a development path suitable for its national conditions, and is willing to deepen political mutual trust, exchange governance experience, and enhance dialogue and communication between various departments of the two countries, Xi said.

China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Sri Lanka within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations to jointly address major issues concerning the whole of mankind, including climate change, Xi said.

He called for pooling the joint efforts of the Global South for solidarity and development, contributing to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Noting that Sri Lanka admires China's great development achievements in economy, science and technology, and infrastructure, Dissanayake said China has always been a reliable friend and partner of Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka attaches great importance to its relations with China.

Sri Lanka firmly abides by the one-China principle, and appreciates China's invaluable support in safeguarding Sri Lanka's independence, sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, Dissanayake said.

Sri Lanka is committed to enhancing regional connectivity through the Belt and Road cooperation, and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, Dissanayake said, adding that Sri Lanka is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, finance, poverty reduction, digital transformation, tourism, marine industry and personnel training.

China plays a significant leading role in the Global South, as well as a constructive role in international affairs, he added. The Sri Lankan side is willing to continue strengthening coordination and mutual support with China on multilateral occasions to safeguard common interests, said the president.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents, in such areas as Belt and Road cooperation, agricultural products, social welfare, and news and broadcasting. Enditem

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