China says it stands ready to strengthen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Sri Lanka for mutual benefits.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said that the projects and loans under the BRI have boosted Sri Lanka’s economic growth, created a large amount of local jobs and contributed to the country’s sustainable development, Colombo Gazette reported.

Geng Shuang commended comments made in India by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa where he had said that Sri Lanka has received a lot of benefits from being part of the BRI.

“We commend these comments made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. China and Sri Lanka share a strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship,” he said.