BEIJING — Premier Li Keqiang on Jan 11 offered congratulations to Ranil Wickremesinghe on his assumption of Sri Lanka’s premiership.

In his congratulatory message, Li said that as traditional friendly neighbors, China and Sri Lanka will mark the upcoming 58th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

China and Sri Lanka have maintained close contact and frequent exchanges at various levels and conducted fruitful cooperation in various areas, Li said, adding that the friendship between the two peoples has been deepening.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to its ties with Sri Lanka and stands ready to advance their strategic cooperative partnership on the basis of mutual respect and treating each other as equals, so as to bring benefits to both peoples and achieve mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes, said the Premier.