Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. [Photo/Xinhua]
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has called for stronger collaboration with China as her government pursues an ambitious program of economic and social transformation, highlighting China's continued role as a key partner in the island nation's recovery and development.
During her visit to Beijing this week, Amarasuriya, who was sworn in as Sri Lanka's third female prime minister in September 2024, attended the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and met with President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials.
In an exclusive interview with China Daily, she described the meetings as "productive", while reaffirming Sri Lanka's commitment to ensuring the smooth implementation of ongoing joint projects and seeking China's support for new initiatives in infrastructure, energy and education.
Amarasuriya cited major joint ventures such as the Colombo Port City, the Hambantota Port and the Central Expressway as central to her country's growth strategy.
She said that China's support in education and human capital development, through modernization programs and scholarships, has made a significant impact on Sri Lanka's development capacity.
"We're undergoing a real transformation at many levels, and we would like China's cooperation and support in ensuring that transformation stays on track and delivers results for the people of Sri Lanka," she said.
Amarasuriya also lauded the commitment made by Xi to gender equality and women's empowerment globally during the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women on Monday.
"The initiatives that he mentioned for taking this agenda forward, I think, are extremely important at this moment, and give all of us a lot of hope that this work can continue, and that this work will have the backing of progressive leaders and progressive thinkers," she said.
This support is especially important at a moment when "there is also a very regressive discourse and narrative taking place on women's rights, on gender equality and on reproductive rights", she said. "It was Chairman Mao who said women hold up half the sky, but we're not there yet. We have a long way to go, so there's work to be done," she added.
Recalling the 1952 Rubber-Rice Pact that laid the foundation for modern cooperation between China and Sri Lanka, Amarasuriya noted the symbolic depth of the two countries' relations. "I think what is unique is that our two governments are very aligned in their thinking and in their ideology," she said, adding that the next chapter of bilateral ties should focus on people-to-people relations and shared cultural values.
Amarasuriya encouraged more Chinese consumers and businesses to engage with Sri Lanka, citing its tea, cinnamon and gemstone industries, as well as its growing appeal as a tourist and investment destination.
"Tourism is very important to us, and we are rapidly becoming a favorite destination for Chinese people," she said, adding that Sri Lanka also positions itself as a reliable and safe destination for Chinese entrepreneurs and investors.
Amarasuriya's first official visit to Beijing included stops at the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. "It's been an excellent trip," she said.
中新经纬2月18日电 2024年1月，中国上市公司迎来辞旧迎新的阶段。回顾往年，年度业绩报告及年终活动吸引眼球；展望新年，企业趁势推出龙年产品和新春活动促活市场。东方甄选余热不减、位列品牌热榜前十，董宇辉相关议题继 检察题材电影《第二十条》春节档全国热映，艺术地诠释了“法不能向不法让步”的司法理念，受到社会各界的广泛关注。最高检微信公众号即日起开设“你评我说·检察官看《第二十条》”专栏，邀请检察人员 中国经济导报 中国发展网讯 2024年春节期间，兰州市西固区各大旅游景区、乡村旅游点游人如织，气氛浓郁。全区共接待游客113.78万人次，同比增长10.52%。主要旅游景区客流回升明显，文旅消费态势强势复苏，文旅 中国发展网讯 踩高跷、 “醉关公”、吭秦腔……2月21日，在宕昌县城区街道、时代广场，当地举行了贺新春社火进城展演活动。来自两河口镇的社火队为当地群众献上精彩的演出。上午10时许，社火 中国经济导报、中国发展网讯 记者王晓涛报道 2月22日，普华永道发布了2023年下半年中国科技、媒体及通信行业（TMT）企业首次公开募股（IPO）数据。2023年下半年，全球资本市场发展趋缓，内地TMT企业上市数量及融 西安青岛居民3月6日起可办理往来港澳“个人旅游签注” 中新网2月23日电 据中华人民共和国出入境管理局网站消息，近日，国务院批准增加陕西省西安市、山东省青岛市为内地赴港澳“个人游”城市。中华人民共和国出入 。本文链接：Sri Lankan PM eyes stronger cooperation with Chinahttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-72832-0.html
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