Sri Lanka, China seek to strengthen military ties

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Colombo, Aug 31 (IANS) Sri Lanka and China have sought to strengthen their military ties, the Sri Lankan defence ministry said Friday.

The remarks followed a meeting between Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie and Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, reported Xinhua.

During the meeting, Liang said the political trust between the two countries has deepened with the rapid expansion of exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Liang expressed the hope that the two sides would continue to work hard to maintain the close and friendly relations and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of non-traditional security. They would also work improve the ability to respond to crisises together, so as contribute to regional peace, stability and development.

Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka greatly appreciated the valued assistance and cooperation extended by China in times of need.

Liang arrived in Colombo Wednesday for an official goodwill visit at the invitation of the Sri Lankan defence ministry. It is also the first visit by a Chinese defence minister to the south Asian island country.

During the visit, Liang also had discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who thanked the government and the people of China for standing by Sri Lanka at times it was facing various challenges internationally and for extending cooperation in the fields of economy and culture.