Advancing China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Beijing on Friday. The Sri Lankan President attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on Wednesday.

The two-day forum was the most important diplomatic event hosted by China so far this year, and the most significant celebration for the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi extended welcome to Sri Lankan President who attended the first-ever Belt and Road Forum six years ago as Sri Lankan prime minister, which indicated the South Asian country's firm support for the China-proposed initiative.

Over the past decade, more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations across five continents have signed over 230 documents within the BRI framework. Sri Lanka is an important stop along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, and also one of the first countries that participated in the Belt and Road cooperation.