China will always support Sri Lanka to safeguard the country's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and maintain the coordination and cooperation with Sri Lanka on regional and international affairs, Chinese President Hu Jintao said.

President Jintao made these observations when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday at the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, currently being held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The two leaders discussed ways to expand the already strong bilateral ties between the two countries in all directions.

President Rajapaksa appreciated all the long-term support China has given during the years to develop the country socially and economically.

Observing that the two countries are trustworthy friends President Jintao said that China is ready to join hands with Sri Lanka to lift the all-round cooperative partnership between the two countries to a new height.

President Jintao noted that in recent years Sri Lanka-China relations have grown healthier and suggested to increase high-level contact, expand intergovernmental exchanges between government departments, political parties, and local governments, and boost personnel exchanges at all levels.

President Rajapaksa, observing that Sri Lanka's relations with China are based on mutual respect, mutual trust, and friendship, said that Sri Lanka is always ready to stand by China to advance their traditional friendship, expand pragmatic cooperation, and strengthen cooperation on regional and international issues and will continue to support China's drive to safeguard its own core interests.

The Chinese President encouraged the Chinese businesses to invest and set up businesses in Sri Lanka.