Beijing, June 15th – Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended here today the centennial celebration of the CPC co-held by political parties of Sri Lanka upon invitation via videolink. Main leaders of 12 major political parties in Sri Lanka including Mahinda Rajapaksa, leader of the People's Front Party and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, head of Freedom Party and former president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of United National Party and former Prime Minister, Dr J. Weerasinghe, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, Dinesh Gunawardena, Leader of the party of the People’s United Front and Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka were present. Mahinda conveyed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's sincere greetings to General Secretary Xi Jinping. And Weerasinghe read a congratulatory letter jointly signed by political parties of Sri Lanka on the centenary of the CPC.

Song Tao conveyed warm greetings of General Secretary Xi Jinping to Sri Lankan leaders. Song Tao said that China and Sri Lanka are good neighbors and partners. And the leaders of the two parties and countries have maintained close communication, with political mutual trust continuously enhanced. The thoughtful celebration prepared by political parties of Sri Lanka fully reflected the profound friendship between Sri Lankan political parties, government and people towards the CPC, Chinese government and people, injecting new impetus into strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincerity, mutual assistance and generations of friendship between China and Sri Lanka under the new circumstances. The CPC is willing to work with political parties of Sri Lanka to strengthen communication and mutual learning in party building and administration, deepen the integration of national development strategies and policies, and promote cooperation between the two countries in anti-epidemic, poverty alleviation and the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative for new results through consultation platforms. China thanks political parties of Sri Lanka for the valuable support on issues concerning China’s core interests, firmly support Sri Lanka in following a development path in line with its own national conditions, and safeguarding the national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Sri Lanka in international and regional affairs, jointly defend the rights and interests of developing countries, safeguard regional peace and stability, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Song Tao said that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core has adhered to a people-centered philosophy, led the CPC and the country to achieve historic achievements and changes, and enabled people to feel more satisfied, happy, and secure. At present, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPC is leading Chinese people to strive for the great rejuvenation of Chinese nation. China will continue to actively provide public goods for the world, and is willing to share our development experience with all countries in the world, including Sri Lanka, and make concerted efforts to make greater contributions to world peace, development and human progress.

Leaders of political parties of Sri Lanka warmly congratulated on the 100th anniversary of the CPC, spoke highly of China’s achievements in fighting the epidemic, poverty alleviation, science and technology and fighting corruption since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as the core. Sri Lanka thanks China for its long-term support in safeguarding national sovereignty and national dignity, Sri Lanka’s economic and social development, and the selfless help in fighting the epidemic. Sri Lankan side that all political parties in Sri Lanka attach great importance to developing friendly relationship with the CPC, and are willing to further implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and countries. They are willing to continuously deepen political mutual trust, promote cooperation between our two countries in local regions, areas such as infrastructure, and strengthen international cooperation with China. They stand ready to, together with the Chinese side, jointly promote regional and world peace and development, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Chen Zhou, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, and others attended the event.

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