Protests will not change China’s friendship with Sri Lanka said China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang on Thursday.
Acknowledging that he faced criticisms by some people within Sri Lanka and outside, he said he would continue to discuss further assistance from Beijing to Sri Lanka.
Speaking on improving economic ties between the two nations at an event in the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, Mr Xianliang, said,
“Yes there has been some noise. But this has not changed our friendship. We will also have some joint universities in the future. Sri Lanka is the number one country who gets financial assistance from China. In donations and grants China donates at least 100 million dollars. We have so many projects here. Sri Lanka gets the most amounts of investments from China. In the education and training corporation also China provides the most support to Sri Lanka out of all other countries. Every year China more than 1300 Sri Lankan’s travel to China to study and undergo training programs. China also conducts special classes to Sri Lanka. Why China has continued to support since ancient times? It is because of our strong friendship.”
The ambassador was speaking at a ceremony to award Chinese Government Scholarships to students in Sri Lanka.
See more here.