Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong met with Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar of Sri Lanka on December 29, 2004 in the Great Hall of the People, expressing deep sympathy and astoundment to Sri Lanka on heavy casualties and property loss inflicted by tsunami.

Zeng Qinghong said that Sri Lanka is a close neighbor and a true friend of China. Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council have sent messages of condolences to the leaders of Sri Lanka. Zeng Qinghong asked him to convey his personal sincere sympathy to the government and people of Sri Lanka. The Chinese government has provided assistance to Sri Lanka in the shortest possible time in the hope to aid the people of Sri Lanka under difficulties. He believed that under the leadership of the government, the people of Sri Lanka will surely be able to overcome difficulties and rebuild the homes.

Zeng Qinghong positively appraised China-Sri Lanka relations and thanked the government of Sri Lanka for its consistent support to China on the Taiwan issue, Tibet issue and human rights issue. The Chinese government will continue to uphold the diplomatic guideline of maintaining friendship and partnership with its neighboring countries, and consolidate and develop friendly cooperation with Sri Lanka and other countries.

Kadirgamar said the Chinese government immediately provided generous financial and material assistance to Sri Lanka after it was hit by tsunami, which has reflected the friendship held by the Chinese government and people to the government and people of Sri Lanka. He expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Chinese government on the behalf of his government. He stressed that China-Sri Lanka political relations have been stable and there are huge potentials for bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, culture and education, and tourism. Sri Lanka is willing to join hands with China to further the exchange and cooperation in every sector and promote the long-term friendly relations between China and Sri Lanka. The Chinese Vice Minister Qiao Zonghuai and Nihal Rodrige, the ambassador of Sri Lanka to China attended the meeting.