China hopes creditors will help ease Sri Lanka's debt burden

COLOMBO (News 1st) - China says that it attaches high importance to Sri Lanka's difficulties and challenges.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told a briefing on Monday (5) that China has long-standing sound cooperation with the IMF and other international economic and financial institutions, and supports the financial institutions in working out ways with Sri Lanka to properly solve the issue. 

She said that China also hopes relevant countries and international financial institutions will work with China and continue to play a constructive role in helping Sri Lanka overcome the current difficulties, ease its debt burden and realize sustainable development.

The comments came at the same time, when President Ranil Wickremesinghe told a gathering on Monday (5) that China has requested Sri Lanka to engage in talks with the Exim Bank, and these discussions are underway.

He said that the country has already started discussions with bilateral creditors including India, which have proven to be successful.

"The talks with China started later because they had to start after the party conference. They wanted it. So we started the talks. Haven't seen a major issue that has come up so far. We hope we can conclude it fast, but that doesn't mean that we are out of the woods," he said.

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