(26th October 2019 at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo)

    Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe,

    Hon. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya,

    Hon. Attorney General Dappula De Livera,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Ayubowan and good evening.

    The theme of tonight is "Ray of Hope",I would like to share with you my understanding from 3 different angles:

    Firstly, for a country, judiciary and "rule of law" is the "Ray of Hope".

    On the occasion of the 135th anniversary of the establishment of the Attorney General's Department of Sri Lanka, I extend our warmest congratulations to you on behalf of the Chinese government.

    In the past 135 years, AG's Department has been playing a key role in safeguarding the independence of the judiciary and the rights of citizens,which lays a foundation to the rule of law for the development of Sri Lanka, and wins appreciation and respect of the whole nation. Sri Lanka now are facing new opportunities and challenge, with fast development of politics, economics and society. I sincerely wish the AG's Department will play a greater role in the new era.

    I would like to emphasize that, AG's Department has become a bridge connecting different legal cultures of our two countries, enabled us overcome the gap between different legal systems and created a better legal environment for the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. We highly appreciate the efforts.

    Secondly, for China-Sri Lanka relations, the friendship and cooperation is the "Ray of Hope".

    China and Sri Lanka are good neighbors, good friends, and good partners. In the history, we have friendly exchanges over one thousand years, the remarkable Rice-Rubber Pact, and excellent friendship between great leaders of our two countries such as Premier Zhou Enlai and Madame Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

    Nowadays, China-Sri Lanka BRI cooperation has lifted our bilateral relations to a new level, and upgraded the economic and social features of Sri Lanka. China has become the largest source of foreign investments, tourists out of the region, engineering contractors and foreign aid. From Norochchorlai Power Station, Katunayake Airport Expressway, to the Southern Railway; from Colombo International Container Terminal, Colombo Port City, to the Hambantota Port, all the mega-projects represent our joint efforts and a common goal of bringing more benefits to our two countries and the two peoples.

    I am glad to see that, the friendship and cooperation between our two countries has already became a cross-parties, cross-nations and cross-communities consensus in Sri Lanka. The friendship and the cooperation is "Ray of Hope" for further development of China-Sri Lanka relations.

    Thirdly, for our children, love and help is their "Ray of Hope".

    The tradition of mutual respect and support between China and Sri Lanka is deeply rooted in the hearts of our two peoples. It is also a basic principle of President Xi Jinping's great Initiative "Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind".

    On the bloody day of April 21st, I was in China with my family on holiday. When I heard the breaking news, I immediately rushes back to Colombo by the earliest flight with my family. Responsibility and love helped us overcome the fear of death and terrorism. At that moment, what only came into my mind is that the Embassy needs me, the Chinese companies and citizens in Sri Lanka need me, the Sri Lankan government and its innocent people need China.

    In the past six months, China has responded to all kinds of emergency requests and provided the biggest assistance to Sri Lanka in a fast and efficient way, which was called "Chinese Speed" and "Chinese Determination". Within one week after the incident, the Red Cross of China provided over 18 million rupees of cash aid. Within two weeks, China donated 10 police jeeps. Till last month, the Chinese government has already provided emergency security equipment valued about 2 billion rupees to Sri Lankan Police, Parliament and government. Besides, China also gifted a frigate to Sri Lankan Navy and invited dozens of senior officers to China for security training.

    Today, I feel both delighted and worried seeing so many lovely children. As parents of two, my wife and I totally understand what they have been suffering. We visited Saint. Sebastian Church in Negombo with all Embassy staff after the attack. We also visited the injured kids and their families, hear from their need. Tonight, I'm pleased and honored to donate 10 million rupees on behalf of Chinese Embassy to assist these orphans. Chinese companies and communities are also willing to perform their social responsibilities and make their contribution to the Orphans Trust planned by the Sri Lankan government. We sincerely hope the children can go through the shadow. I'm confident that our love and help will light up these children's future as their "Ray of Hope". No matter in good time or bad time, the 1.4 billion Chinese people always stand firmly with the Sri Lanka people.

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Last but not the least, I would like to sincerely thank Hon.AG Livera and all his team for their extremely kind heart and extremely hard work.

    I wish a great success to tonight's musical event!

    I wish peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka, and well-being to its people!

    Long Live the China-Sri Lanka friendship!