BEIJING, Dec 31, (Asia Free Press): Zhao Lijian, Spokesman for Chinese Foreign Ministry, announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, according to media reports.
“Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the two South Asian countries come at the 50th anniversary of China-Maldives diplomatic relations, 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact,” the Spokesman said during his regular briefing, reported APP.
He claimed that China and the two countries are traditional neighbours and essential partners with close high-level engagements, deep practical cooperation, broad common interests, and similar positions on many regional and international issues and challenges.
The Spokesperson said that faced with changing landscape and pandemic once in a century, China stands together with the two countries to overcome difficulties with practical anti-epidemic cooperation and practised its neighbourhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness.
“We will work together with the two countries to build on the momentum generated by commemorative anniversaries, to deepen the traditional friendship and enhance political mutual trust, strengthen solidarity against COVID -19 and enhance practical cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a flagship project of Chinese Government, framework and increase coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs,” Lijian further added while expecting closer future ties between these two countries.
Before he visits the South Asian nations, Wang Yi will visit Eritrea, Kenya and Comoros from Jan 4-7 upon invitation.
