China agrees to provide Rs. 2.6 billion worth military assistance, OPV to Sri Lanka

[Godman]

China agrees to provide Rs. 2.6 billion worth military assistance, OPV to Sri Lanka
Mon, Oct 17, 2016, 11:57 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Oct 17, Colombo: Sri Lanka and China have reviewed the entire range of defense cooperation between the two countries during the recent visit of Sri Lanka's Secretary of Defense to Beijing, to participate in the 2nd China - Sri Lanka Defense Cooperation Dialogue.

At the invitation of the Chinese Government Secretary of Defense led a delegation to attend the 7th Xiangshan Forum on 10-12 October and and 2nd China - Sri Lanka Defense Cooperation Dialogue from 12-15 October.

Defense Secretary Hettiarachchi and Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) co-chaired the second China-Sri Lanka Defense Cooperation Dialogue in Beijing on October 13.

During the dialogue, the two sides had in-depth exchange of views on South Asian situation, bilateral relations and exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries.

The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of defense cooperation including high level exchanges, military assistance, training opportunities, collaboration between defense think tanks, intelligence cooperation, joint military exercises and participation in defense seminars, workshops and symposia, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defense (MOD) said.

The delegations highlighted defense as an important pillar of cooperation in the overall bilateral relationship and agreed to continue to strengthen ties in this sphere.

During the meeting two agreements related to the provision of Chinese Yuan 120 million (Rs. 2.6 billion) worth of military assistance and the provision of an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to Sri Lanka was also signed at the conclusion of the Dialogue.

Admiral Sun noted that China views South Asia as an important partner and firmly supports Sri Lanka's efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The military-to-military relations serve as a cornerstone for bilateral relations, and the Chinese military is willing to continue to support Sri Lanka's defense and military development, and work with it to implement the consensus reached by Chinese president Xi Jinping and Sri Lanka "President Sirisena," the Chinese Defense Official said.

He urged both sides to step up strategic coordination and cooperation, enhance high-level interactions and exchanges between young military officers and academies, promote naval exchange and cooperation, consolidate the progress on personnel training and push forward regional security collaboration, so as to make positive contributions to the healthy and steady development of bilateral relations and preserving regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The Defense Secretary praising the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and China said Sri Lanka stands ready to deepen mutually beneficial exchange and cooperation with China in multiple fields and increase mutual trust and coordination.

During the visit the Secretary also called on General Chang Wanquan, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense of China and on behalf of the President and Minister of Defense of Sri Lanka extended an invitation to the Minister to undertake an early visit to Sri Lanka to strengthen cooperation in the defense sector.

The Sri Lanka delegation to the Dialogue included Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, Chief of Staff of Navy Rear Admiral S S Ranasinghe, and Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Major General H C P Goonetilleke.

www.colombopage.com/archive_16B/Oct17_1476685629CH.php

@Gibbs @Chinese-Dragon @ChineseTiger1986 @AndrewJin

So any idea what this OPV may be?

 

[Godman]

 

[X-2.]

China china china
India is all arounded by China

 

[Syed Taha Wajahat]

This is called ISOLATION Moodi ji China giving huge amount of dollars to bangladesh,investing in Afghanistan,inviting iran to CPEC,working closely with Sri lanka and Moodi is happy on cancellation of SARC summit

 

[Gibbs]

Lanka is a vital partner in China's OBOR initiative, So it's no surprise that military relationship also grows.. China has been a steadfast ally

So any idea what this OPV may be?

No idea

China, Sri Lanka vow to deepen cooperation within Belt and Road framework

Source: Xinhua | 2016-10-17 04:58:35 | Editor: huaxia

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in the western Indian state of Goa, Oct. 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

GOA, India, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday, vowing to deepen bilateral pragmatic cooperation within the Belt and Road framework.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the eighth BRICS summit in the western Indian state of Goa.

China-Sri Lanka relations have seen positive and healthy development momentum, said Xi, noting that China will work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the traditional friendship cultivated by generations.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as well as the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on Rice for Rubber, he said, calling on the two sides to take the opportunity to cement traditional friendship and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to lift bilateral ties to a new high.

In 1952, Sri Lanka withstood the pressure from the United States and other Western countries and signed the famous rice and rubber agreement with new China, and in doing so, opening a chapter in the history of friendly exchanges between the two countries.

To further their relations, Xi suggested the two sides maintain high-level contacts and political communication, and continue to show mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests.

China appreciates Sri Lanka's support for and active participation in the Belt and Road construction, said Xi.

He called on the two sides to deepen cooperation in the sectors of trade, port operation, infrastructure construction, port-vicinity industrial parks, production capacity and people's livelihood.

He said the two sides should continue to advance their mega cooperative projects such as the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port.

Xi voiced hope that the two sides will make good preparations for the activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and encourage more exchanges among all sectors of society, including local affairs, Buddhist community, youth, think-tanks and media.

The Chinese president also suggested the two sides expand cooperation in the fields of tourism, ocean, security and disaster preparedness and mitigation.

He said the two countries should enhance coordination within multi-lateral frameworks and continue to support each other in international and regional affairs.

For his part, Sirisena said the time-tested relations between the two countries have gained a stronger momentum under the new situation.

He thanked China's assistance for Sri Lanka's development as well as China's support to his country on the international arena.

Sri Lanka adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen coordination and communication with China in international and regional affairs, he added.

Sirisena said Sri Lanka is willing to speed up the implementation of relevant economic and trade agreements with China as well as cooperation on maga projects. He welcomed Chinese enterprises to increase investment in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is a member of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), a regional mechanism that is aimed at connecting South Asian and Southeast Asian countries and also groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand.

On the margins of the BRICS summit in Goa, Xi and other BRICS leaders held dialogues with the BIMSTEC leaders and representatives.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in the western Indian state of Goa, Oct. 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-10/17/c_135758620_2.htm

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

This will improve relation between china and srilanka. More to come, including military deals.

 

[idune]

It is very good China and SriLanka are setting some example of mutually beneficial relation that other smaller south Asia Countries can follow.