China reassured the visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that Beijing will continue to firmly back the country's efforts for unity, territorial integrity and national reconciliation.

President Hu Jintao made the pledge yesterday during a-hour meeting with his counterpart from Colombo following the attack by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka's eastern Batticaloa District, which injured many people including the ambassadors of the United States, Italy and Germany.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang also expressed China's support for the Sri Lankan government in yesterday's regular press briefing, saying China has been closely following the situation there and hoped peace and stability would return to the country as soon as possible.

Rajapaksa is currently on a seven-day visit to officiate at events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China.

Leading a 260-stong entourage that includes 16 government ministers and dozens of representatives from the private sector, Rajapaksa said he hoped more opportunities would be created for Sri Lanka businesses in China.

President Hu said he appreciated the large delegation a demonstration that Sir Lanka has attached great importance to the China visit.

He said the Chinese side would work together with Sri Lanka to embrace a new era of friendship and comprehensive cooperative partnership as the two countries celebrate the golden jubilee of the diplomatic ties.

The two presidents witnessed the signing of eight key agreements yesterday related to economic and technology cooperation, two-way investment promotion, construction and agriculture.

(China Daily 02/28/2007 page2)