President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is in China to attend the Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao later today.

This will be the second meeting between the two leaders in 14 months, and is indicative of the strengthened links between the two countries, and the rapid emergence of China as one a key development partner of Sri Lanka.

The bilateral discussions are expected to focus on continued support from China for Sri Lanka’s economic development, particularly for infrastructure development, and improved trade and business relations between the two countries.

China has already pledged more that US $ 1 billion in assistance to Sri Lanka in 2007, for projects that include the Norochcholai Coal Power Project, the Hambantota Port Development Project, the supply of 100 railway carriages and Multiple Diesel Units to the Sri Lanka Railway, and the construction of a Performing Arts Theatre.

The Boao Forum for Asia, which President Rajapaksa is due to address was inaugurated in February 2001. The Annual Conference of Boao is a platform for political leaders, academics and business leaders from Asia and other countries concerned with the development of Asia to communicate and seek cooperation for development of all Asian countries.