This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The Chinese and Sri Lankan governments have defined the year as one of friendship between the two countries. Adding to this is the forthcoming state visit to China by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, which will become another important milestone in the countries' bilateral relations.

Historical ties

Historically, China and Sri Lanka have enjoyed friendship and cooperation. The common religious and cultural exchanges as well as trade ties between the two nations can be traced back 2,000 years.

Recorded evidence is available at least from the 5th century, when the Chinese scholar monk Fa Xian spent two years in a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka studying Buddhist scriptures and compiling a book entitled Travels to a Buddhist Kingdom .

About 600 years ago, the famous Chinese navigator Zheng He visited Sri Lanka at least five times. On most of these voyages, the economic and cultural linkages were the most important.

In modern times, shortly after Sri Lanka secured her own independence and the People's Republic of China was founded, the two countries signed what is known as the Rubber-Rice Pact in 1952. It laid the foundation for the fair exchanges of the two commodities and symbolized political and economic nexuses between the two countries.

It is significant that this event took place earlier than the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations. It was one of the earliest examples of the principle now widely accepted that countries with different political or social systems should nevertheless work together in the interests of their peoples.

In the contemporary era, Sri Lanka stood as one of the co-sponsors of the UN resolution to restore China's legitimate seat in the United Nations. It remains fresh in people's memory that the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai delivered a speech in the rain at the Independence Square in Colombo during the celebration of Sri Lanka's 9th Independence Day. It was in 1957, under the leadership of the late S.W.R.D Bandaranaike, that Sri Lanka established formal diplomatic relations with China at a time when some sections of the world community were still on unfriendly terms with China.

The relationship has been exceptionally rewarding and mutually beneficial to both countries. The two sides have increasingly enhanced mutual political trust, deepened cooperation in economy and trade, and strengthened coordination in international affairs. We have enjoyed a long-term friendship and the bilateral relations have been developing smoothly and steadily since China and Sri Lanka forged diplomatic ties 50 years ago.

Period of development

In recent years, the bilateral relations between China and Sri Lanka have entered a new period of all-around development.

High-level exchanges between the two countries have maintained a strong momentum. The leaders of China and Sri Lanka have regularly visited each other's country.

The Sri Lankan prime minister visited China in 2003. In return, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid an official visit to Sri Lanka in 2005. In the same year the Sri Lankan President C.B.Kumaratunga paid a state visit to China. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on the bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interests and reached broad consensus.

During President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to China, he will hold discussions with top Chinese leadership on a wide range of issues of mutual concern, and visit Shanghai and Guangzhou, addressing seminars and introducing the investment climate in Sri Lanka to potential Chinese investors. Several agreements or MOUs are to be signed which will undoubtedly boost the economic development of both countries. This landmark visit will be a successful, constructive and fruitful one.

Another important aspect is people-to-people contacts between the two countries. Nowadays more and more Chinese tourists are coming to Sri Lanka than ever before and the commencement of direct flights between Beijing and Colombo has also been a blessing. In November 2002 Sri Lanka and China signed an agreement on Accredited Destination Status which is focused on various avenues to increase the inflow of tourists from China. In 2006 more than 16,000 Chinese tourists visited Sri Lanka. Both the Chinese and Sri Lankan Governments will continue to encourage the bilateral tourist traffic in the years ahead.

A helping hand

China has not forgotten her obligations to the developing world. It maintains a healthy level of Official Development Assistance in different forms of grants or loans. In particular, China has continuously provided development assistance to Sri Lanka over a long period of time.

Up to now, China has implemented more than 20 complete plant projects in Sri Lanka through various forms of assistance. Sri Lankan people have been impressed by many projects such as BMICH, the Supreme Court Complex, the Nilabe Hydro Power Station, and Lady Rigeway Children's Hospital, just to name some of them.

The tsunami at the end of 2004 caused huge casualties and property losses in Sri Lanka. China has shown deep sympathy for the people of Sri Lanka affected by the tsunami and provided assistance in post-disaster relief and rehabilitation projects, such as restoration of several fishery harbors devastated by the tsunami and construction of four China-Sri Lanka Friendship Villages. Help will be offered to Sri Lanka for the training of personnel in natural disaster prediction and mitigation.

This year will witness a number of projects mutually agreed upon by the two governments to be started in Sri Lanka. In addition to upgrading facilities at BMICH, projects such as the construction of a flyover at Nugegoda Junction, the construction of the National Performing Arts Theater and Puttalam Coal Power Plant are all due to start within the year.

Though China is a developing country and its aid is limited, the Chinese people are sincere and the Chinese Government has all along honored its commitments. We are always ready and willing to offer assistance for the economic and social development of the developing countries to the best of our abilities and with no pre-conditions attached.

In the new world situation, China will continue its unremitting efforts with Sri Lanka in the following aspects to upgrade all-round cooperation.

First, to carry forward the tradition of exchanging high-level visits between both sides, to extensively conduct exchanges between the two governments, parliaments, political parties, young people and organizations, and to consolidate the political foundation of our bilateral relations.

Second, to actively explore new approaches of economic cooperation, to earnestly implement the programs and projects agreed upon by both sides, and to encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in such areas as transportation, electric power, housing, irrigation and water supply in Sri Lanka.

Third, to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture, education, religion, tourism, human resource development and so on.

Fourth, to continue with the assistance in disaster relief and post-disaster recovery and to support the Sri Lankan people in rebuilding their homeland. China will ensure good quality and high efficiency in completing the reconstruction projects in the tsunami stricken areas and help to set up a seismographic network and train technicians specialized in disaster prediction and mitigation.

Fifth, to strengthen close cooperation between the two countries at the international, regional and sub-regional levels and to enhance coordination and collaboration on multilateral occasions as well as on key international issues.

Respect for sovereignty

It is highly appreciated by the Chinese Government that the Sri Lankan Government firmly upholds the one China principle, which is the cornerstone of our bilateral ties. It opposes Taiwan independence in whatever form and supports all efforts of China to safeguard its state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sri Lanka understands and supports the Anti-Secession Law adopted by the National People's Congress of China.

The Chinese Government has reiterated that it will continue to support the endeavors of the Sri Lankan Government to safeguard its state sovereignty and territorial integrity, to realize national unity, and to develop the national economy.

It is our view that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are all equal members of the international community. The partnership between the two countries is based on the principles of mutual respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. The China-Sri Lanka relationship could be described as exemplary, almost a role model in diplomatic relations between two nations.

In the international arena, China and Sri Lanka have been supporting each other. For example, Sri Lanka was active in supporting China to enter the World Trade Organization and the Chinese candidate to run for the Director General of the World Health Organization. The two countries also share similar or the same views on the human rights issue.

A common understanding has been reached that the promotion of peace and development is the dominant theme in the current global situation. The two countries agree to continue consulting with each other on international and regional affairs. Both sides have reaffirmed their commitments to the UN Charter and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. While recognizing the unique role being played by the United Nations in political, economic and social development around the world, the two sides will continue consultations on the reform and improvement of the organization.

China appreciates Sri Lanka for its invaluable support to China's request for Observer Status to the SAARC. We would like to establish long-term and good-neighborly relations with all South Asian nations. China will work with Sri Lanka, India as well as other nations to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability and in promoting development of the Asian region as well as the world.

The year 2007 has been defined by both governments as Year of China-Sri Lanka Friendship. There will be a series of commercial, cultural and academic activities and functions arranged for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations both in Sri Lanka and in China.

For instance, there will be the Sri Lanka gem and jewelry show; presentation of movies; trade fair; exchange of cultural performances; exhibition of paintings, photographs, posters and commemorative stamps; TV documentaries on China-Sri Lanka relations; anniversary publications such as newspaper supplements and commemorative books.

The author is ambassador of China to Sri Lanka