Off the wire
• China Headline: China may further lower growth target for 2015: Experts  • Commentary: China-Africa relations: something besides natural resources  • No one has impunity in anti-corruption drive: spokesman  • Japan's business investment in Q4 rises 2.8 pct  • Foreign exchange rates in Hong Kong  • 1st LD Writethru: China targeting ETIM in global counter-terrorism cooperation: spokesman  • Trading on Hong Kong Stock Exchange  • Political consultative body no harbor for corrupt officials: spokesman  • Taiwan stocks close down 0.36 pct  • Hong Kong stocks close down  
You are here: 　 Home

China says loans to Sri Lanka "based on consensus"

Xinhua, March 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

China's loans to Sri Lanka were based on consensus through consultations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday, responding to interest rate concerns.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the comment after Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Saturday that his country was concerned with the interest rate of the loans from Beijing.

"The loans are extended at the request of Sri Lanka and based on consensus through consultations," Hua said at a daily news briefing.

"The loan arrangements are for the whole nation and people and have played a positive role in the economic and social development of Sri Lanka," Hua said.

She voiced confidence that the practical cooperation between the two countries will move ahead in the fundamental interests of the two nations and peoples.

Samaraweera paid an official visit to China from Feb. 27 to 28. He is the first minister to visit China since Sri Lanka's new government took office in January. Endi