China and Sri Lanka cut off speculation about deteriorating ties on Friday with a pledge of renewed cooperation on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative and the announcement of a visit by the island nation's new president in March.

Premier Li Keqiang said China's relations with Sri Lanka stand "unaffected" by changing international circumstances and domestic situations during his meeting with visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in Beijing.

"Problems in bilateral relations, if any, must be solved in a proper way to stand the test of time and storms. The development of one side is bound to benefit the other," Li said.