China Praises India For Helping Sri Lanka, Says South Asia Remains Priority

China also refuted the Sri Lankan President's remarks that Beijing has shifted its focus from South Asia to South East Asia, saying the region still remained its priority.

China on Wednesday praised India for making "great efforts" to help Colombo to tide over its worst financial crisis even as it refuted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's remarks that Beijing has shifted its strategic focus from South Asia including Pakistan to South East Asia, saying the region still remained its priority.

Sri Lanka has been grappling with unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. Sri Lanka's economic crisis has created political unrest with protesters demanding President Rajapaksa's resignation.

"We have also noted the Indian government has made great efforts in this aspect. We recognise that," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Beijing while replying to questions about whether China, which has made big investments in Sri Lanka, is hesitating to help it when the island nation is facing the worst economic crisis.

"We also are willing to work with India and other members of the international community to help Sri Lanka and other countries with difficulties to help these developing countries to get through this situation," he said.