Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike Thursday met the visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang in her residence.

Bandaranaike said in the meeting that the China-Sri Lanka friendship, nurtured by the leaders and peoples of the two countries, has been deeply rooted in the minds of the peoples.

She was glad to see that the bilateral friendship has been further strengthened due to the efforts of the two sides.

The prime minister reiterated Sri Lanka's "one China" policy and stood firmly behind China's positions on the human rights, Taiwan and Tibet issues.

Vice Foreign Minister Yang said the Chinese government has been attaching great importance to the friendly cooperation with Sri Lanka.

"In the upcoming 21st century, we will further develop the traditional friendship initiated by the two countries' leaders of the older generation," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Yang met his Sri Lankan counterpart, Lakshman Kiriella, and held talks with him on bilateral issues and international and regional issues of common concern.

Yang and his party arrived here on Wednesday night.