Sri Lanka steadfastly supports One China Policy - President Rajapaksa 
[Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 7.30 GMT]  

Sri Lanka continuously and steadfastly supports the One China Policy, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at a special Cultural Show in Beijing, yesterday (Feb 28) to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the People's Republic of China.

President Rajapaksa referred to the centuries old friendly relations between Sri Lanka and China and paid a special tribute to the PRC for its unstinted support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. He also thanked China for its generous assistance to the development efforts of Sri Lanka.

President's speech in full:

China with its centuries old history is a glorious country that has contributed much to human civilization. Ancient China has many inventions that won it global acclaim and helped the progress of mankind. The discovery of the compass, printing technology and gunpowder are only some of them.

China is not only an enormous country. It deserves a special place among the community of nations as a land whose people have a rich economic, political, cultural and educational experience and knowledge, in addition to technological maturity in many spheres. Hence we in Sri Lanka could draw many lessons from the unique country that is China.

Relations between Sri Lanka and China date back many centuries. They were first established during the reign of Emperor Ping in 206 B.C. Between 13 and 989 A.D. Sri Lankan kings have sent as many as 13 delegations to China. The visit of the Chinese monk Fa Hsien in the 5th Century AD to Sri Lanka is a significant landmark in our relations.

Today the PRC is a powerful nation in the international arena. Sri Lankans are inspired by the renaissance achieved in China following the birth of the PRC in 1949. Since then China, has with a firm foundation embarked on a long journey along a carefully chosen and correct path.

Diplomatic relations between our two countries were established on February 7, 1957. Since then China has been a close friend and ally of Sri Lanka. We hail unreservedly its positive attitude to Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have also reciprocated with a historic friendship. We support continuously and steadfastly the One China Policy. It was so yesterday and it is so today. Tomorrow too it will be the same.

On this occasion I would like to recall with gratitude the valuable assistance rendered by China for our development. The Rubber - Rice Pact signed by our two countries in 1952 paved the way to carry forward our
friendly relations. China helps us in various ways to develop our housing, highways, electrical power projects, hospitals and education. I am pleased to say that the Chinese government has provided assistance to many gigantic development projects initiated under the Mahinda Chintana.

China has made a huge investment in the Puttalam Power Plant. We appreciate the readiness of China to make a similar contribution to the Hambantota Port
Project.

Our country is faced with the enormous challenge of combating cruel terrorism. Our main objective is to eliminate this terrorism and open the way for all our people to live freely. We value very much the international assistance we receive for this effort. Today we are decisively defeating terrorism. I recall with gratitude the assistance we receive from China to
combat terrorism.

Today China has achieved tremendous progress in the economic, cultural, tourism and industrial spheres. We not only congratulate China for this but are also proud of the achievements of our friend.

The President of the PRC and I decided at our meeting to raise our relations to a higher level. We included proposals valuable for infrastructure development, tourism and cultural cooperation. We also entered into several agreements this morning to give effect to the above decision.

Fifty years is a long period. During it many changes and upheavals took place in the world. Yet they did not affect the friendship between our two countries. On this occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of our diplomatic relations I would like to wish that our historic friendly relations continue forever.

On behalf of myself, my government and the entire Sri Lankan people I would also like I extend my greetings to the well being of the People's Republic of China and its people.

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Last Updated Date: March 01, 2007 - 7.30 GMT