The Chinese government will encourage its enterprises to participate in Sri Lanka's economic construction, and will expand cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, and energy resources, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing Wednesday.

Wen also said China will take measures to solve the imbalance in bilateral trade with Sri Lanka during a meeting with visiting Sri Lankan President Bandaranalke Kumaratunga.

He said that Sino-Sri Lankan friendly relations constitute an important component of China's peripheral foreign policy, and that the comprehensive and cooperative partnership established this April had upgraded the bilateral ties to a new stage. He hoped the two sides could enhance cooperation in all fields.

Kumaratunga expressed gratitude for the long-term assistance by China, as well as for the aid offered by China after a tsunami devastated Sri Lanka at the end of last year.

She said on her visit, Sri Lanka and China have reached common ground on deepening bilateral relations, and the Sri Lankan government would like to make joint efforts with China to promote cooperation in economy, trade, and other fields.

Source: Xinhua