China and Sri Lanka announced the start of negotiations on a free trade agreement, a deal observers said will inspire greater engagement from other South Asia nations in Beijing's proposed Maritime Silk Road project.

The announcement came after Xi met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo on Tuesday. Xi's visit is the first trip to the country by a Chinese head of state in 28 years.

To show their hospitality, the Sri Lankan presidential couple went to the airport for the arrival. Forty elephants were lined up to greet Xi.