Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R, front) is photographed with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Beijing on April 7, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe have met in Beijing.

The Sri Lankan prime minister is in the Chinese capital for a four-day official visit.

At the meeting, Premier Li Keqiang hailed the profound friendship between the two countries, saying bilateral ties had withstood the test of time.

"Sri Lanka has long been one of China's neigbourly countries. Mr. Wickremesinghe, a senior statesman, has been working constantly to promote the sound relationship between China and Sri Lanka. This visit will help further push forward the two countries' strategic cooperative partnership, and I believe this will instill new vitality into the bilateral relations. "

Li added that China stood ready to work with Sri Lanka to push forward construction projects steadily, following the resumption of the Colombo Port City Project.

Last month, the Sri Lankan government officially informed Chinese investors that construction work on the multi-billion dollar project would restart, one year after it was suspended.

Premier Li also called on both sides to speed up negotiations on the second phase of the Hambantota Port in south Sri Lanka.

At a media briefing, Xiao Qian, Director of the Asian department of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlined the agreements reached by the two sides during the meeting.

"China and Sri Lanka are willing to enhance cooperation on construction of ports, airports, roads, railways and some major electric power projects. China will encourage its companies to invest in Sri Lanka and participate in the cooperation in industrial parks, special economic zones and the processing and manufacturing sector. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies in line with its laws and foster a sound environment for Chinese investors."

The two countries are planning to sign a bilateral free trade agreement within the year, and increase cultural and people-to-people exchanges.