Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse said Friday that Sri Lanka and China are tested friends and his country is gratitude on China's assistance to Sri Lanka in its economic and social development.

Rajapakse made the remarks when he met the visiting delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and Party chief of China's Tianjin municipality Zhang Gaoli.

Rajapakse said the friendly relationship between the two countries has stood long test and the two countries are tested friends, adding that Sri Lanka has always firmly stood by and will never change its stance on one-China policy.

After conveying greetings of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Rajapakse, Zhang said China appreciated the Sri Lankan government' s firm support for the Chinese government's stance on the issues related to Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and human rights.

Zhang congratulated the massive achievement made by the Sri Lankan government on national reconciliation and the development of the country, adding that the Chinse government will continue to support the Sri Lankan government's efforts to defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Zhang also expressed his wishes of expanding cooperation between Tianjin municipality and Sri Lankan on the areas of economy, trade, tourism and education, among others.

Zhang also met Maithripala Sirisena, the general secretary of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Karu Jayasuriya, the deputy Leader of the main opposition United National Party on Friday.

The delegation, invited by Sri Lanka Freedom Party, arrived here Friday morning for a two-day good-will visit.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2009)