China's top legislator starts visit to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO - China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived here Saturday for an official goodwill visit to Sri Lanka, pledging to lift bilateral ties to a higher level.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), is to have separate meetings and talks with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and Parlianment Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa during his four-day stay here.

This is the first visit to Sri Lanka by chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, China's top legislature.

"As this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 60th anniversary of the signing of Rubber- Rice agreement, the development of China-Sri Lanka relations is now facing new opportunity and enjoys broad prospect, " said Wu in a written speech released upon his arrival.

China is willing to join hands with Sri Lanka to consolidate traditional friendship, expand pragmatic cooperation, and lift their comprehensive and cooperative partnership to a new height, Wu said.

Sri Lanka is the third stop of Wu's four-nation tour, which also includes Iran, Myanmar and Fiji.