BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is in Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Noting that Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and push for new progress in developing China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and lasting friendship.

China is willing to import more quality and specialty products from Sri Lanka, and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, so as to help Sri Lanka transform and upgrade its economy and achieve sustainable development, Xi said.

China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka without any political strings attached and help the country cope with difficulties concerning its society and people's livelihood, he said, adding that China is glad to see Sri Lanka becoming a commercial center in the Indian Ocean.

The two sides should strengthen collaboration on international and regional affairs, oppose politicization of the human rights issue and bloc confrontation, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and developing countries, Xi said.

Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka has attached great importance to and actively participated in the Belt and Road cooperation from the very beginning and has faith in its potential and prospects.

Noting the openness of the Indian Ocean, Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is willing to enhance communication with China in regional affairs and promote solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

Senior Chinese officials Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the meeting.