COLOMBO — China and Sri Lanka will continue to join hands in promoting development in each other’s country and deepen cooperation in all fields, President Maithripala Sirisena and visiting State Councilor, Defense Minister Chang Wanquan have agreed in Colombo.

Chang, who arrived in Colombo on March 19, met with President Sirisena and his Sri Lankan counterpart respectively on March 20.

The president expressed his appreciation for China’s consistent assistance for his country in economy, agriculture, science and technology, education, defense and other areas.

He noted that he had met with President Xi Jinping on several occasions and they had reached broad consensus on ways to further promote bilateral relations.

Sri Lanka will energetically follow through joint cooperation projects with China and continue to make great efforts in deepening pragmatic cooperation with China in all fields, he said.

Sri Lanka will, like as usual, steadfastly support China’s stance in international and regional affairs as well as on issues of great concern to China, the president said.

Chang noted that the two presidents had agreed to promote the “strategic partnership of cooperation featuring sincere mutual support and long-lasting friendship” between the two countries, when they exchanged congratulatory messages on the 60 years’ anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in February.

He conveyed President Xi’s greetings to President Sirisena and also expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka’s support for China, especially in matters concerning China’s core interests.

He noted that Sri Lanka is an important country along the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, saying China would like to work together with Sri Lanka in promoting each other’s development so as to benefit their two peoples.

Chang also held talks with Sri Lankan State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene. The two exchanged ideas on promoting relations between their two militaries and pledged to maintain high level contacts, deepen cooperation in all aspects to bring the military ties to a new high.