China has assured Sri Lanka of its continued support for Sri Lanka's efforts to safeguard its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as its path to development, Xinhua reported.

China's chief legislator Wu Bangguo has given this assurance when he met Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne who is in China currently to attend the 15th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen.

"China will continue to support Sri Lanka's efforts to safeguard its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as respect Sri Lanka's path of development and its domestic and foreign policies," the chief legislator has said.

During his meeting with the Prime Minister Jayaratne, Wu, China's current Chairman and Party secretary of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, has said that his country will encourage Chinese companies, especially large enterprises, to engage in Sri Lanka's development and expand trade and investment with the country in order to realize mutual benefit and common development.

The chief legislator has also pledged to boost the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas including infrastructure, the exploitation of energy and resources and tourism.

Wu has also expressed his appreciation to Sri Lanka for its continuing support on issues relating to Taiwan and Tibet.

The Prime Minister has expressed his appreciation to China's long-standing support for Sri Lanka's development and promised to strengthen bilateral ties further, Xinhua reported.