COLOMBO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the recommendations for formulating China's 15th Five-Year Plan have set out the direction for China's next stage of development and injected renewed confidence into the world.

Amid rising global uncertainties, Sri Lanka stands ready to deepen cooperation with China based on equality and mutual respect, so as to deliver greater benefits to the two countries and their peoples, the minister added.

Herath made the remarks on Friday at a special briefing hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka on the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, which adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, a key document of the session.

Representatives from Sri Lanka's political, business and academic communities spoke highly of the blueprint, saying China's long-term planning, technological advancement and high-quality development would continue to generate strong momentum for the world economy and open up broader space for China-Sri Lanka cooperation.

In his briefing, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China achieved historic accomplishments in economic and social development, maintained its contribution of around 30 percent to global economic growth, witnessed the continuous expansion of high-tech industries, and made notable progress in green and low-carbon transition.

Looking ahead, the 15th Five-Year Plan will focus on promoting high-quality development, advancing scientific and technological self-reliance, deepening reform, improving people's well-being and building a beautiful China, Qi said, adding that "China will further expand high-standard opening up and share development opportunities with all countries, including Sri Lanka."

Herath said Sri Lanka attaches great importance to practical cooperation with China and highly appreciates China's stable economic growth and technological innovation, adding that China's achievements in poverty reduction, scientific progress and industrial upgrading highlighted the value of long-term planning and policy continuity.

"China's development successes are not accidental but the result of the high-quality implementation of successive five-year plans, which offer important inspiration for Sri Lanka's future," said Herath.

Lalith Kumara, vice president of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation, said China has made globally recognized strides in poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, digital transformation and green development through long-term planning.

Kumara said China and Sri Lanka could further deepen cooperation in rural development, modernization of agriculture and fisheries, small-scale processing industries, digital entrepreneurship and youth innovation, helping the bilateral partnership move "from development assistance to capacity building."

Ajith D. Perera, chair and executive secretary of the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said China's success is rooted in its unified national market, institutional strengths and effective governance.

Perera said Sri Lanka should learn from China's strategic vision and planning capability, which are vital for Global South countries seeking to enhance international competitiveness.

Sri Lanka looks forward to advancing trade facilitation, strengthening air connectivity and expanding payment system interoperability with China during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, thereby creating more favorable conditions for bilateral trade growth, Perera added.

Kalpana Madhubhashini, head of the international division of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, said China's five-year plan system stands out for its scientific approach, inclusiveness and strong implementation capacity.

"China's planning process incorporates broad input from across society, ensuring the plan is not an abstract slogan but a people-centered national strategy that is practical and executable," she said.

Madhubhashini said that China's commitment to a people-centered development philosophy, and its sustained efforts in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, demonstrate how institutionalized governance can transform the lives of millions.

"The document's emphasis on scientific and technological innovation, agricultural modernization, social welfare and comprehensive national security will continue to underpin China's long-term stability and modernization, contributing even more to global development," Madhubhashini said. Enditem