KUNMING -- Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo told  Sri Lanka's Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne on Sunday that the two countries have bright prospects of practical cooperation.

"Both China and Sri Lanka currently have the heavy task of development, and there are bright prospects for the two countries to enhance practical cooperation," Dai said in his meeting with Jayaratne in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Dai and Jayaratne are in Kunming to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th China Kunming Import and Export Fair and the fourth South Asian Countries Trade Fair.

At the beginning of the fifty-minute meeting, Dai conveyed Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's greetings to Jayaratne, and also congratulated Jayaratne on turning 80 during his China trip.

Noting the relationship between China and Sri Lanka dated back over 2,000 years, Dai said China cherishes its ties with Sri Lanka and is ready to make concerted efforts to reinforce traditional friendship.

"China is willing to see Sri Lanka achieve rapid and prosperous development, and is willing to see the development of emerging economies and developing countries," Dai said.

Hailing the bilateral friendship, Jayaratne said he appreciates China's support to Sri Lanka regarding its development and safeguarding of its state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also said Sri Lanka welcomes a more active role played by China in the international community.