On the afternoon of February 27, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on further developing bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership as well as regional and international issues of common concern and reached broad consensus.

Hu warmly welcomed Rajapakse's first visit to China since he took office and thanked Rajapakse for presenting a replica of a Buddha statue to a Chinese temple, a baby elephant to the Chinese people, and two corneas to a Chinese charity organization as state gifts. Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties half a century ago, bilateral ties have withstood the tests of changeable international situation and time and have always been developing soundly and smoothly with the increasing understanding and friendship between the two peoples. In recent years, China and Sri Lanka have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges and growing bilateral trade volume with expanded cooperation in other areas, said Hu, adding that the two countries have shared mutual understanding and support in international and regional affairs. "Facts prove that China and Sri Lanka are close and friendly neighbors, reliable friends and cooperative partners," Hu said. The friendship between the two countries has become a good example of equal treatment, friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small countries, added Hu.

Rajapakse said Sri Lanka-China friendship enjoys a time-honored history and their exchanges in the areas of culture, religion and trade go back to ancient times. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, bilateral relations, under the care of leaders of both countries and joint efforts of the two peoples, have achieved rapid progress and scored remarkable results in all fields, he said. The two countries have also maintained close communication in international and regional organizations including the United Nations. Rajapakse thanked for China's long-standing support for Sri Lanka's economic and social development, adding that his country deems China a sincere friend and partner.

Hu said this year, as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the "China-Sri Lanka Year of Friendship", also coincides with President Rajapakse's China visit. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to take this year as a new starting point and make efforts in the following four aspects to push the comprehensive cooperative partnership of sincere mutual assistance and friendship for generations to a higher level. First, keeping closer political relations between the two countries. Hu urged both sides to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen exchanges of visits and contacts between the government agencies, legislative bodies, political parties and regions of both countries, and respect and address important concerns of each other. China thanks Sri Lanka for its adherence to the one-China policy and will as always support the efforts the Sri Lankan government has made to safeguard state sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, Hu said. Second, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. Hu suggested the two countries work closely to finalize the large cooperative projects and projects aided by China already agreed upon, and deepen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure construction. Both sides should continuously tap potentials and expand channels and scale for cooperation so as to push for a steady and in-depth development of mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade and other areas. Third, expanding humanities exchanges. As China and Sri Lanka are close to each other and share similar cultures, humanities exchanges are of far-reaching significance and enjoy huge potential. Both sides can deepen exchanges and cooperation through multiple ways in the fields of culture, education, tourism and health. Hu urged both sides to well hold the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the "China-Sri Lanka Year of Friendship", and further build up mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Fourth, strengthening cooperation in multilateral affairs. Both as developing countries, the two countries enjoy extensive common interests in international and regional affairs, said Hu. China congratulates Sri Lanka for its upcoming accession to the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) within the year and is ready to strengthen cooperation and coordination with Sri Lanka in multilateral organizations like the United Nations, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the ASEAN Regional Forum, he added.

Rajapakse agreed with Hu's proposals. He said Sri Lanka appreciates China for supporting the Sri Lankan government's position of safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to unswervingly adhere to the one-China policy. As China is committed to building a harmonious society, Sri Lanka will learn from China's successful experience for development, he said. Rajapakse hoped that the two countries will take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the "Sri Lanka-China Year of Friendship" to enhance bilateral cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, culture, infrastructure construction, energy development, tourism, anti-terrorism and international affairs, in a bid to advance the comprehensive cooperative partnership. Following the talks, the two heads of state attended a signing ceremony of a series of cooperation documents including the agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two governments.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcome ceremony for Rajapakse's visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Premier Wu Yi, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Gu Xiulian, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Zhang Siqing, Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of China Democratic National Construction Association Liu Heng, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Finance Jin Renqing, Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ye Dabo and other officials attended the ceremony.