BEIJING: China’s defense minister told the head of the Sri Lankan navy on Tuesday he wanted to ensure a “continuous and stable” development of military ties, after Sri Lanka ruled out future Chinese submarine visits to the country.

Defense Minister Chang Wanquan told Jayantha Perera that China was willing to continue and deepen cooperation with Sri Lanka, including efforts to train personnel, China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

“China is willing to work hard with Sri Lanka ... to ensure the continuous and stable development of relations between the two militaries and make positive efforts to further deepen ties,” the ministry paraphrased Chang as saying.