On July 2, 2024, His Excellency Qi Zhenhong, the Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, was honored to attend and deliver a keynote speech at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Sri Lanka-China Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, upon invitation. Counselor Tang Yandi and other dignitaries were also in attendance.
Ambassador Qi Zhenhong underscored the deep-rooted historical ties between China and Sri Lanka. Since the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact, Chinese aid in constructing transportation, medical, and water infrastructure, alongside investments in ports and power projects, has continuously provided robust support for Sri Lanka's socio-economic development. The facts have consistently demonstrated that, whether in the past, present, or future, and regardless of the difficulties and challenges Sri Lanka may face, China has always promptly extended a helping hand, assisting Sri Lanka in overcoming hardships. This highlights the profound traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka and reaffirms that China remains a dependable and trusted friend and partner for Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Qi noted that despite the current global economic difficulties and challenges, the Chinese economy continues to exhibit a positive development trajectory. China is resolutely advancing high-quality development and high-level opening-up, particularly making notable progress in digital and green transformation. This provides new opportunities for the two countries to deepen their cooperation. Significantly, President Xi Jinping's recent address at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which called for the "Global South" to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind and proposed specific measures to support "Global South" cooperation, offers strategic guidance for the future deepening of comprehensive economic and trade cooperation between China and Sri Lanka. Ambassador Qi expressed his hope that all members of the Sri Lanka-China Business Council will continue to play a vital role as a bridge and link, fostering close cooperation among enterprises and bringing greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Ambassador Qi’s speech was met with an enthusiastic response locally, with sustained coverage by media outlets such as Daily FT, Daily Mirror, Ceylon Today and Ada Derana.