Ties with Sri Lanka to deepen

China will work together with Sri Lanka to push forward resumption of the delayed construction of the Port City project in Colombo, Premier Li Keqiang said while meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Beijing on Thursday.

It is Wickremesinghe's first visit to China since he took office last year. A welcoming ceremony was held by Li at the Great Hall of the People. Also on Thursday, Li met with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann, vowing to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Switzerland.

Li said during his meeting with Wickremesinghe that China is willing to enhance high-level exchanges and trust and deepen coordination in regional and international affairs with Sri Lanka. China will also push forward the negotiation of a free trade agreement with Sri Lanka, aiming for an outcome this year.