A high level delegation led by State Councillor and Minister of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) General Liang Guanglie yesterday called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees. Speaking on the occasion, President Mahinda Rajapaksa thanked the government and the people of China for standing by Sri Lanka when it was facing various challenges internationally.

He was of the view that the visit of Chinese Defence Minister and his delegation symbolized the close and cordial relations between the two nations.

The President on behalf of the government and the people of Sri Lanka thanked China for extending cooperation in the fields of economy and culture.

The visiting Defence Minister said that China is ready to provide every assistance to Sri Lanka and strengthen centuries old ties between the two countries.

Earlier in the day, the visiting Chinese General was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army soon after he was received by External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris at the Defence Ministry Grounds in the company of Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilake and Tri-service Commanders. General Guanglie, who assumed the office of State Councillor and Minister of National Defence in the People's Republic of China (PRC) in March 2007, has served in many distinguished appointments in the Chinese military.