On the morning of March 26, 2024, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is in China for an official visit, at the Great Hall of the People.

Li Qiang said that China and Sri Lanka are strategic cooperative partners featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 67 years ago, the two countries have always shown mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and have a fine tradition of mutual assistance through thick and thin. President Xi Jinping and President Ranil Wickremesinghe held a meeting last year, drawing the blueprint for further development of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, so that the tree of China-Sri Lanka friendship will grow deep and flourish, mutually beneficial cooperation will achieve more results, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges will become more colorful and enriching, so as to better promote common development.

Li Qiang noted that China firmly supports Sri Lanka's efforts to realize national unity and stability as well as independent economic development. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to fully push forward the implementation of important projects under the framework of Belt and Road cooperation, deepen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, agriculture and marine scientific research, tap into the potential for cooperation in clean energy, telecommunication and other areas, and promote the upgrading of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries. China encourages more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Sri Lanka, and is willing to increase imports of Sri Lankan quality products. He expressed the hope that Sri Lanka could provide a good business environment for Chinese companies. He called on both sides to strengthen people-to-people exchanges in culture, tourism and education, and consolidate the foundation of friendship between the two countries.

Gunawardena said that Sri Lanka is a good partner that China can trust. Sri Lanka thanked China for providing long-term support to the country's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, providing strong assistance for the country's economic and social development, and offering great support for the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and financial debt crisis. The Sri Lankan side speaks highly of the Belt and Road Initiative and a series of global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, always abides by the one-China principle, and will continue to firmly pursue policies to strengthen friendly cooperation with China. Sri Lanka is willing to work with China to solidly advance the Belt and Road cooperation, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and further people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to promote the common development of the two countries as well as regional peace and stability.

After the talks, Premier Li and Prime Minister Gunawardena jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering trade, investment, customs and development cooperation.

Before the talks, Li Qiang held a welcoming ceremony for Gunawardena at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wu Zhenglong was present at the above events.

In the afternoon, Gunawardena laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes.