Chinese VP meets Sri Lankan, French guests

BEIJING - Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang on Wednesday met with Sri Lankan Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa and former Speaker of the National Assembly of France Bernard Accoyer.

In his meeting with Rajapaksa, who came here as the Sri Lankan president's special envoy, Wang said the Chinese government is willing to work with the Sri Lankan side to implement the consensus reached by the two presidents and deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Wang called on both sides to begin negotiation on their proposed free trade agreement as soon as possible, encourage Chinese enterprises to expand investment in Sri Lanka and strengthen the strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries.

In his meeting with Accoyer, Wang said the cooperation between China and France enjoys broad prospects. China would like to work with France, taking the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, to lift the level of investment and trade cooperation so as to develop the countries' relationship, he said.