Exchanges

China and Sri Lanka Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Sri Lankan counterpart Maithripala Sirisena exchanged congratulatory messages on February 7， to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Sri Lanka.

In his message to Sirisena， Xi said that ever since diplomatic relations between the two countries were first established， bilateral ties have endured in spite of an ever-changing international situation and have witnessed healthy and smooth development. Xi noted that he appreciates Sri Lankas active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

“I am willing to work with you to consolidate mutual political trust， increase mutually beneficial cooperation， and deepen people-to-people friendships between the two countries，” Xi said. “This will inject new vigor and vitality into the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership， which focuses on sincere mutual assistance and enduring friendship.”

Sirisena said that the friendship between Sri Lanka and China has long existed. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations， their ties have resulted in constant and sound development， later upgraded to a strategic partnership.

He noted that Sri Lanka is firmly dedicated to promoting its relations with China， and believes that the Belt and Road Initiative， based on the ethos of the ancient Maritime Silk Road， will open up a new era for cooperation between Sri Lanka and China. He hopes that bilateral ties between the two countries continue to advance.

China and Australia Launch Year of Tourism in Sydney

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull congratulated the new China-Australia Year of Tourism 2017， which was officially launched in Sydney on February 5， 2017.

In his congratulatory message， Li said people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the Chinese and Australian people are important pillars supporting the development of bilateral relations. He hopes that the two countries can use the Year of Tourism as an opportunity to increase bilateral cooperation and exchanges in various fields （including people-to-people and cultural exchanges） and build a more solid basis for the all-round development of bilateral ties. He pointed out that on the basis of the sound development of bilateral relations over the past 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations， China and Australia should continue to uphold equality by treating each other with tolerance and openness. They should also learn from each other to jointly safeguard world peace and promote regional stability， achieving new results by cooperating for the mutual interests of both peoples.

The Australian prime minister said that over 20 years of tourism between Australia and China has been very beneficial. China has become Australias most valuable tourism market – 1.2 million Chinese tourists visited Australia last year. The Year of Tourism marks a brand new era for bilateral relations and Mr. Turnbull believes that through joint efforts， Australia and China will create new opportunities with future development in this area.

Chinese Naval Taskforce Completes Tour of Middle East

The 24th Chinese naval escort taskforce left Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait on February 5， after a five-day goodwill visit. Staff of the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait， employees from Chinese-funded institutions， Chinese students studying in Kuwait， as well as representatives from the Kuwait Naval Force， gathered on the pier to wave goodbye to the taskforce. Kuwait was the last stop of the 24th Chinese naval escort taskforces tour of foreign ports after its goodwill visits to Saudi Arabia， Qatar， and the United Arab Emirates.

During its visits to those countries， the taskforce met with naval officials， visited naval facilities and warships， held joint cultural and sports activities and conducted joint small-scale drills with the local navies.

Commenting on the significance of its visits to the four Middle-Eastern countries， Rear Admiral Bai Yaoping， Commanding Officer of the 24th Chinese naval escort taskforce， said that the 700-strong group of Chinese sailors had journeyed along the Maritime Silk Road and brought the friendship of the Chinese people and military to the four Middle-Eastern countries.

Chinese-Built Dam Generates Electricity in Sudan

The Upper Atbara Dams Complex in Sudan， built by the China Three Gorges Corporation and the China Water and Electric Corporation， began generating electricity on February 2.

At the ceremony celebrating this milestone project， Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir praised the outstanding performance of the Chinese enterprises in building the dam and said that the project will strongly support and motivate Sudans economic and social development.

The project， which was initiated in May 2010， can store up to three billion cubic meters of water. One third of the countrys population will benefit from the project.