Sri Lankan Foreign Minister defends friendship with China

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry refuted on Thursday the so-called "China debt" theory, saying Sri Lanka could not have achieved development without China's help.

During a meeting with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN-plus foreign ministers' meeting in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, Sabry stressed that China's debt only accounts for 10 percent of the country's foreign debt.

He expressed gratitude to China's government and people for their timely assistance during Sri Lanka's difficult times and said the country cherishes its friendship with China.

Sri Lanka firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes any acts involving interference in China's internal affairs, stoking tension and escalating the situation, he said.

Wang expressed China's firm support for Sri Lanka in safeguarding sovereignty and independence, solving the debt problem through consultation, maintaining policy continuity to safeguard social stability and achieve economic recovery.

The Chinese government and people have provided Sri Lanka with emergency humanitarian assistance and will continue to help the country via bilateral and multilateral channels, Wang said.

It is believed that the new Sri Lankan government will unite and lead the people to tide over the difficulties and push the country back to the right track of development, he added.

"History has proven and will continue to prove that China has never done anything against Sri Lanka's interests and will always be a sincere and reliable friend of Sri Lanka."