BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China and Sri Lanka issued a joint press communique here Saturday at the end of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's state visit to China.

　　The two sides agreed that in the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Sri Lanka relations have enjoyed healthy and smooth growth, serving as a model of good relations among small and big countries.

　　The two sides would make joint efforts to push forward their all-round cooperation partnership of sincere mutual support and ever-lasting friendship, the joint communique said.

　　The year 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and is designated as "China-Sri Lanka friendship Year."

　　The joint communique said the two sides agreed to organize a series of activities to further increase friendly exchange, consolidate traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the China-Sri Lanka all-round cooperative partnership to an even higher level, including high level visit indifferent areas of activities.

　　The communique said the Sri Lankan side reiterated its consistent position that there is only one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.

　　The two sides resolved to fight tirelessly against the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism and will step up consultation and coordinating on regional and international counter-terrorism action.

　　It said the two sides agreed to consider practical steps during the next session of the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, including on encouraging Chinese trading companies to be more involved in the purchase of Sri Lankan items.

　　The Chinese side expressed readiness to give positive consideration to facilitating the financing of relevant projects for infrastructure improvement and economic development, it said.

　　The Sri Lankan side thanked the Chinese side for its support to Sri Lanka's economic and social development over the years and its generous assistance offered in the aftermath of tsunami.

　　The Chinese side expressed readiness to continue with its assistance to the best of its ability and encourage greater market access to Sri Lanka exports in China to reduce the present trade deficit in Sri Lanka.

　　The two sides agreed to further strengthen the exchange and cooperation in culture, tourism, education and other areas, according to the joint communique.

　　They welcomed the establishment of the Confucius Center at Kelaniya University in Sri Lanka and resolved to facilitate greater student exchanges for the promotion of the Chinese and Sinhalese languages in the two countries.

　　The Chinese side would provide 104 scholarships to Sri Lankan students for the 2007-2008 academic year, the joint communique said.

　　At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Rajapakse paid a state visit to China from Feb. 26 to March 4.

　　The communique reviewed that in a friendly atmosphere, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest and reached broad consensus.

　　The communique said Rajapakse invited Hu to visit Sri Lanka. Hu expressed his willingness to visit Sri Lanka at a time of mutual convenience.