On March 26, 2015, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Zhang Dejiang met at the Great Hall of the People with President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka respectively.

While meeting with Serzh Sargsyan, Zhang Dejiang said that Armenia is an important cooperative partner of China in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region. President Xi Jinping’s strategic concept of building the “Silk Road Economic Belt” has provided an opportunity for both sides to deepen cooperation in the new era. The NPC of China and the Armenian Parliament enjoy sound foundation of cooperation. The two legislatures should further carry out exchanges and cooperation in legislative experience, actively promote friendly exchanges between political parties and various departments of nongovernmental organizations at all levels, enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and give full play to the groups of friendship, so as to create a good cultural and legal environment for bilateral cooperation, promoting the bilateral relations for new development.

Serzh Sargsyan said that Armenia is willing to work with China to enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and uplift the bilateral relations to a new high. Armenia is willing to actively support the two legislatures in deepening exchanges.

While meeting with Maithripala Sirisena, Zhang Dejiang said that China and Sri Lanka have been traditionally friendly neighbors, and the bilateral relationship has withstood all kinds of tests, with the two countries developing into trustworthy cooperative partners and friends sharing weal and woe. Currently, China and Sri Lanka are facing new cooperative opportunities, and the two legislatures have the responsibilities and obligations to well inherit, maintain and develop the China-Sri Lanka friendship. The NPC of China is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and take the opportunity of implementing the outcomes of this meeting between President Xi Jinping and Mr. President to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, particularly in legislative cooperation, so as to provide legal guarantee for the expansion of practical cooperation between the two sides, create favorable conditions for promoting friendly exchanges in various circles, and promote China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative relations to a new level.

Maithripala Sirisena said that Sri Lanka is willing to work with China to deepen cooperation in all fields, and strengthen exchanges between bilateral legislatures so as to promote constant development of the bilateral relations.

Wang Chen attended the above meetings.