Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry, visited China at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, from June 24 to 30 to engage in bilateral discussions and to attend the World Economic Forum held in Tianjin.
The Foreign Minister had bilateral discussions with his counterpart State Councillor and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. The two Ministers discussed political, economic, trade, investment, tourism and financial issues. Minister Qin Gang stated that China stands ready to expand its cooperation with Sri Lanka. Minister Sabry reaffirmed China’s role as an important development partner and appreciated the assistance provide by China.
Minister Ali Sabry also called on China’s Minister of Finance Liu Kun and briefed on the progress being made in economic recovery. Both Ministers agreed to further expand the economic cooperation between the two countries which would be particularly beneficial to Sri Lanka in its economic recovery.
The Foreign Minister also held discussions with EXIM Bank Chairman Wu Fulin and President Bai Yinzhan, of the China Harbour Engineering Cooperation. Minister Sabry also met Ma Yongsheng, Group Chairman of Sinopec Company. The Chairman briefed the Minister on the forthcoming investment of Sinopec in Sri Lanka. Other interactions of the Foreign Minister included meeting with President of Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun and Secretary General and of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Zhang Ming. The Minister also met the President of the World Economic Forum Børge Brende on the side-lines of the Forum.
During the World Economic Forum, Minister Ali Sabry participated in the ‘Annual Meeting of the New Champions’ and also contributed to the Roundtable on ‘Preventing a Lost Decade’ and the Stakeholder Dialogue on ‘How to Power Tomorrow’s Economy’. He also presented Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and our experience from the economic crisis at the forum.
The Foreign Minister also met the Sri Lankan community living in Beijing as well as the Sri Lankan students in Tianjin University during the visit.
