Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry on the sidelines of the general debate of the UNGA 77 in New York on September 23. 

Wang Yi said that China and Sri Lanka established the relations of strategic partnership of cooperation, and the two countries have always shared weal and woe and treated each other in all sincerity. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is of great significance to inherit the past and usher in the future. 

China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate strategic mutual trust, and deepen and expand practical cooperation. China has provided Sri Lanka with emergency humanitarian assistance such as medicines, rice and fuel, and will continue to provide Sri Lanka with assistance within its capacity to overcome temporary difficulties. 

Sabry said that Sri Lanka-China friendship has a solid foundation. China has provided strong support to Sri Lanka's economic and social development for a long time, especially when Sri Lanka encountered difficulties, which Sri Lanka will bear in mind. China is an important development partner of Sri Lanka, and Chinese enterprises have made positive contributions to the accelerated development of Sri Lanka. The so-called "Chinese debt trap" argument is a completely untenable rumor. 

Sri Lanka welcomes and will make efforts to ensure investment safety and reasonable returns from countries including China. Sabry thanks to China for providing assistance to Sri Lankan students returning to China for study. 

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