Sri Lanka's new prime minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe on Thursday reiterated the country's eagerness to preserve its economic ties with China.
"Our government is also keen to maintain the traditional it has ties with China and is willing to have a dialogue to resolve whatever issues that exist between the two countries at present,” Mr Wickremasinghe said, following a meeting with the vice president of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPCC) and member of the China's communist party, Wang Jiarui, regarding the proposed Colombo Port City development project.
Pointing to the fact it was the UNP that signed the first trade agreement between the two countries, Mr Wickremasinghe highlighted the close ties the previous UNP leader, J R Jayewardene also had with China.
The Colombo Port City project, which was launched by the former government, led by Mahinda Rajapaksa, appeared under threat prior to the election after President Sirisena hinted towards scrapping the project.
Last month however, the Sirisena government said it would allow the project to go ahead subject to a reassessment.
"Our government is also keen to maintain the traditional it has ties with China and is willing to have a dialogue to resolve whatever issues that exist between the two countries at present,” Mr Wickremasinghe said, following a meeting with the vice president of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPCC) and member of the China's communist party, Wang Jiarui, regarding the proposed Colombo Port City development project.
Pointing to the fact it was the UNP that signed the first trade agreement between the two countries, Mr Wickremasinghe highlighted the close ties the previous UNP leader, J R Jayewardene also had with China.
The Colombo Port City project, which was launched by the former government, led by Mahinda Rajapaksa, appeared under threat prior to the election after President Sirisena hinted towards scrapping the project.
Last month however, the Sirisena government said it would allow the project to go ahead subject to a reassessment.