July 04, Colombo: The Chinese government said that it would work with Sri Lanka to promote the comprehensive and cooperative partnership to a new height.

"We attach great importance to the traditional friendship with Sri Lanka," Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang told visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

"The China-Sri Lanka relationship sets a good example for the friendly ties between the two countries with different social systems," the Premier said adding that "China stands ready to expand cooperation with Sri Lanka, so as to consolidate the traditional bilateral friendship and breath new life into the cooperative relationship."

Bogollagama is on an official visit to China from July 1 to 5 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.