2007 the China-Sri Lanka year

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 02-25-2007 09:23

This year, China and Sri Lanka celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties. Leaders in both countries have named 2007 the China-Sri Lanka year.

China's ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ye Dabo, says the relationship between the two countries has always been good.

In Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo and the southern city of Galle, people interviewed talked of China and the Chinese people as friends.

The relationship could go back more than 2000 years ago. Learned Chinese Monk Faxian of the Jin Dynasty and Navigator Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty both visited Sri Lanka. A prince from Sri Lanka once visited Beijing and Fujian Province. Cultural, trade and religious exchanges have never stopped.

In the 20th Century, Sri Lanka was one of the first to recognize modern China. In 1952, Sri Lanka signed a trade agreement, ignoring sanctions from western countries. Five years later, diplomatic relations were established.