Chinese President Hu Jintao held a ceremony in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to welcome his Sri Lankan counterpart Mrs. Kumaratunga, who was on her state visit to China

On the afternoon of August 30, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks in the Great Hall of the People with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mrs. Kumaratunga, who was on her state visit to China. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on the bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest and reached broad consensuses. Both sides indicated that the two countries would develop the fine tradition of friendship, advance the pragmatic cooperation in various areas in a down-to-earth manner and push the bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership to a new level.

Hu made positive remarks on the important contributions President Kumaratunga and Members of the Bandaranaike Vlan have made to the development of bilateral cooperative relations for a long period of time. Hu said that the friendly exchanges between the two peoples enjoy a long history and have left many moving stories on everybody's lips. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 48 years ago, on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence and under the direct care and cultivation by generations of leaders of both sides, the bilateral relations have been developing soundly and smoothly. Both sides have witnessed continuous exchanges of high-level visits and fruitful contacts and cooperation in various areas. China thanks the Sri Lankan government for its precious support on Taiwan and other questions and will as always support the efforts by the Sri Lankan government and its people to realize national reconciliation, develop economy and safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mrs. Kumaratunga said that the bilateral cultural and religious exchanges can be traced back to 2000 years ago and the bilateral relations enjoy a long history. Since the two countries established the diplomatic ties, under the joint efforts, both sides have witnessed increasingly strengthened political relations, deepened cooperation in economy and trade and other areas and close coordination in the international affairs and the bilateral relations have entered a new period of all-round development. The Sri Lankan government and its people sincerely thank China for its generous assistance with no conditions attached over a long period of time. The Sri Lankan government will continue to resolutely pursue the one-China policy and support China's grand cause of reunification.

Hu indicated that in the new situation, China would like to continue to make efforts with Sri Lanka in the following five aspects in a bid to push for further development of the bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership characterized by sincere mutual assistance and friendliness for generations. First, to develop the tradition of exchanging high-level visits between both sides, extensively conduct exchanges between governments, parliaments, political parties, youngsters and other institutions and organizations and continuously consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations. Second, to actively explore new approaches and areas of cooperation, earnestly implement the related cooperation programs and push the bilateral economic and trade cooperation to one new level after another. China encourages and supports the Chinese businesses to participate in the infrastructure construction and cooperation programs with Sri Lanka in the areas of transportation, electric power, communications and agriculture. Third, to expand the bilateral cultural, educational, tourist and scientific and technological exchanges and promote all-round development of bilateral cooperation. Fourth, to do a good job in cooperation in the area of post-disaster reconstruction and disaster relief and support the Sri Lankan people to rebuild their homeland. China will ensure the good quality and high efficiency in completing the reconstruction projects of the disaster area in Sri Lanka and would like to help Sri Lanka set up a seismographic network and train technicians specialized in disaster relief. Fifth, to keep closer international and regional and sub-regional cooperation between the two sides and to enhance coordination and collaboration on the multilateral occasions and key international issues.

Mrs. Kumaratunga fully agreed with President Hu's suggestions. She said that Sri Lanka is committing itself to pushing for economic development and China has scored admiring achievements of development. both sides can further expand areas of cooperation. Sri Lanka stands ready to work with China to reinforce cooperation in the areas of economy and trade, tourism, culture, education and infrastructure construction, deepen coordination and collaboration in the international affairs and jointly push the bilateral comprehensive partnership to a new level of development.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of 8 documents on bilateral cooperation in the areas of economy, tourism, culture and education.

Prior to the talks, Hu held a welcome ceremony for Mrs. Kumaratunga's visit to China in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Present at the ceremony were Vice Chairwoman Uyunqimg of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman Zhang Huaixi of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Vice Chairman Wang Songda of the Central Committee of China Zhi Gong Party, Financial Minister Jin Renqing, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Sun Guoxiang and other officials.