China is willing to enhance cooperation with Sri Lanka within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.
Wang made the remarks during talks with visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana.
This year marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Sri Lanka and the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact between the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.
Wang said China hoped to take this opportunity to promote the traditional friendship and political mutual trust with Sri Lanka as well as major infrastructure projects, investment and trade, maritime and people-to-people cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Marapana expressed gratitude for Beijing's long-term support for Colombo's economic and social development.
"Sri Lanka attaches great importance to its traditional friendship with China and looks forward to promoting cooperation with China in all fields," he said.
After the meeting, the two sides exchanged letters of approval for a mutual legal assistance treaty.
--IANS
soni/mr
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)