On April 17, 2024, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fayon of Slovenia in Beijing.
Wang Yi said that after more than 30 years of development, China-Sri Lanka relations have entered a stage of stability and maturity, and although the two countries have different social systems and cultural backgrounds, they understand each other, respect and appreciate each other, and the two peoples have friendly feelings. China appreciates the Sri Lankan government's understanding and support for China's core interests and its firm adherence to the one-China principle. China supports Slovenia's national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respects Slovenia's development path suited to its national conditions. Today's world has entered a period of turbulence and change, with hot issues rising one after another, and uncertainties and instability increasing significantly. In the face of the changing and chaotic international situation, China is ready to further enhance mutual trust with Sri Lanka and jointly advocate the practice of true multilateralism. China congratulates Sri Lanka on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka in the UN Security Council and other international institutions to promote a more just and equitable development of global governance.
Wang Yi said that China is promoting Chinese-style modernization with high-quality development, which will provide new opportunities for countries around the world, including Slovenia. China opposes "de-Chinaization" in the name of "de-risking". China and Sri Lanka should jointly uphold free trade, adhere to mutual openness, oppose protectionism, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and hope that Sri Lanka will give fair, just and non-discriminatory treatment to Chinese enterprises, and also welcome Sri Lankan enterprises to invest in China and deepen the Chinese market, and China will provide a good business environment to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
Fayon said that the Sri Lankan and Chinese people have a deep friendship and strong mutual trust. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to its relations with China and firmly pursues the one-China policy. Sri Lanka has sent the largest economic and trade delegation in history to visit China, and is willing to further deepen practical cooperation with China in the fields of economy and trade, tourism, and scientific and technological innovation. Sri Lanka is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China under the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks to jointly address global challenges.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.