BEIJING - The Communist Party of China (CPC) received a banner on Thursday bearing signatures by 1,000 Sri Lankans as a gift to celebrate the CPC's 90th founding anniversary.

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"A friend in need is a friend indeed," said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's vice chairman Alavi Mowlana after presenting the banner to Ai Ping, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Mowlana, who is also head of a visiting delegation from Sri Lanka, congratulated the CPC on its 90th founding anniversary.

He also presented Ai with several congratulatory letters from organizations such as the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC) and  Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare.

The idea of gifting the CPC with a commemorative banner was initiated by the ASLCSCC, which gathered signatures from 1,000 Sri Lankans, including several government officials.

"We highly appreciate the efforts of the leaders of the CPC and strongly believe that socialism with Chinese characteristics could only have been attained under the leadership of CPC," the ASLCSCC said in its congratulatory letter.

Ai said the CPC will cherish the goodwill extended by Sri Lanka and expand cooperation with Sri Lankan parties and associations that show a positive attitude toward China.