JAFFNA, Sri Lanka, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang pledged to push forward ties with Sri Lanka by assisting development of the former war zone in the Tamil-dominated north, a Chinese Embassy official said on Friday.

During a four-day visit to Northern Province, the ambassador met with Chief Minister Wigneswaran and Northern Governor Reginald Cooray, saying that China stood ready to offer assistance to Sri Lanka and the province.

Ambassador Yi noted that China and Sri Lanka enjoyed strong historical ties and that the relationship must be taken forward.

China was glad to see the political and economical achievement made by Northern Province after the war ended in 2009, and wished Sri Lankan people could share the fruit of peace and development as soon as possible.

The ambassador said China would encourage Chinese companies or investors to come and assist the reconstruction of Northern Province in infrastructure, technology, medicine among others.

During his visit to Jaffna University, Yi also announced the "Chinese Ambassador Scholarship" for 10 students of the university this year, and expressed China's willingness to offer assistance to boost the education through joint training, students exchange and campus construction.

The ambassador donated 1 million rupees and a batch of books to Jaffna Library to help it regain glory as the largest library in South Asia before damaged by the civil war.

This is the first trip of Ambassador Yi to Sri Lanka's Northern Province.