Suharshi Perera in Beijing

China firmly believes that the Sri Lankan Government and its people should be allowed to tackle its internal affairs and the international community can make concrete efforts to improve the humanitarian condition of the country, Assistant Foreign Minister of China Hu Zhengyue said. However, China will continue to support Sri Lanka in bringing in stability, peace and development,he said.

The Chinese Assistant Minister was addressing the press delegates of South Asian countries at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of China, Beijing, yesterday.

“We do not interfere in the internal matters of Sri Lanka as peaceful coexistence, sovereignty and territorial integrity are key ideas in the China’s foreign policy on South Asia. However, China will stand by the Sri Lankan Government in its future endeavours in creating peace,” the Assistant Minister who is also the in-charge of the South Asian Foreign Affairs said.

China recognises the biggest challenge encountered by the South Asian region is fighting terrorism. Therefore, it believes that South Asia makes substantial efforts to fight terrorism, he added.

The Assistant Minister told the Daily News that China has assisted Sri Lanka in resettling the IDPs by granting US$ one million and other forms of assistance.

“In addition to resettling, the Sri Lankan Government needs to focus on the national reconciliation and current development,” he said.

“Sri Lanka has been a longstanding friend of China, dating back to 1950s. China has been sympathetic with Sri Lankan people. We will extend greater cooperation in trade and economy,” he said.

China has already undertaken major development and infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka and it will be strengthened further, he added.

Referring to the global economic recession he further added that China along with the South Asian countries should work in cooperation to overcome the situation.