Recently, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong gave an exclusive interview to Daily News, a leading English-language newspaper in Sri Lanka, answering questions on China-Sri Lanka relations and China’s foreign policy. The full text is as follows:
1、How do you assess the current status of relations between Sri Lanka and China?
Qi: The friendly relations between China and Sri Lanka are rooted in deep historical ties, a solid political foundation, strong bonds of shared interests, and broad social support. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, despite the changing international landscape, China-Sri Lanka relations have maintained sound and stable development, setting an example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the two sides are committed to deepening the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship, carrying forward traditional friendship, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly building a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future to deliver greater benefits to the people of both countries.
China and Sri Lanka are fellow travelers on the path toward development and revitalization, and good partners of win-win cooperation. China has always supported Sri Lanka in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions, and focusing on economic development to achieve national prosperity. In recent years, China and Sri Lanka have achieved fruitful outcomes in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly expanding collaboration in port economy, modern agriculture, digital economy, green economy, culture, tourism and other fields, effectively boosting Sri Lanka’s economic and social development.
China and Sri Lanka are good brothers, good partners and good friends sharing weal and woe. Whenever Sri Lanka faces difficulties and challenges, China always extends a helping hand through bilateral and multilateral channels to support Sri Lanka in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereign security and national dignity. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, China provided anti-epidemic supplies and emergency humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka. In the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, China swiftly provided cash donations and a large amount of supplies, and assisted in repairing damaged infrastructure. When the energy crisis triggered by the conflicts in the Middle East hit Sri Lanka, China provided emergency energy support to help Sri Lanka overcome the difficulties. Additionally, for four consecutive years, China has donated school uniform fabric to Sri Lanka, benefiting over 4 million students across the country. China keeps promoting the flourishing of “small yet smart” livelihood projects, bringing the people of the two countries closer, hand in hand and heart to heart.
China’s friendly policy and mutually beneficial cooperation with Sri Lanka are directed at all Sri Lankan people, covering all ethnic groups, religions, and regions. This has not changed in the past and will not change in the future. Looking ahead, China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to continue upholding mutual respect and trust, mutual support, win-win cooperation and shared development, carrying forward and passing on the China-Sri Lanka friendship that has been carefully nurtured over generations.
2、As an economic giant in the region, what role can China play in the development and stability of the Indian Ocean region? What kind of cooperation does China envision with countries like Sri Lanka in regional security?
Qi: The Indian Ocean is a vital maritime corridor connecting Asia, Africa and Europe, and an important bond for global trade and cultural exchanges. China enjoys a long-standing history of friendly interactions with countries along the Indian Ocean. As early as the time of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, China carried out extensive economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges with regional countries, including Sri Lanka. The travel of the Chinese Buddhist monk Faxian along the ancient silk road, the visits by the renowned Chinese explorer and navigator Zheng He to Sri Lanka more than 600 years ago, and the well-known Rubber-Rice Pact, all bear witness to the long history of exchanges and cooperation between China and countries of the Indian Ocean region.
At present, countries in the Indian Ocean region are generally committed to economic development, livelihoods improvement, and connectivity enhancement, which is highly compatible with China’s vision of win-win cooperation and common development. China has consistently been committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. It advocates a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, encourages countries to enhance mutual trust and properly address security challenges through dialogue and cooperation, and promotes the building of a regional security architecture that serves the common interests of regional countries. China stands ready to work with Indian Ocean countries to jointly foster a harmonious, cooperative and win-win Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka, located at the center of the Indian Ocean, is an important hub connecting East–West maritime routes. Widely known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, Sri Lanka has long played a significant role in promoting exchanges and cooperation in the region. China highly values Sri Lanka’s important role in the Indian Ocean region and commends its efforts in safeguarding regional peace and stability.
China and Sri Lanka enjoy a time-honored traditional friendship that has withstood the test of changing international circumstances. Sri Lanka is a trustworthy good friend and partner of China in the Indian Ocean region. In recent years, the two countries have carried out fruitful cooperation in such fields as ports and shipping, the marine economy, and disaster prevention and mitigation. During President H. E. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka’s visit to China last year, the two sides issued a Joint Statement, in which they agreed to continue advancing maritime cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit, hold regular bilateral consultations on maritime affairs, deepen cooperation in conservation and restoration of the marine environment and ecosystems, maritime domain awareness, maritime rescue and disaster relief, and maritime personnel training and capacity building, and work toward building a maritime community with a shared future. The two sides also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Ocean Cooperation toward Blue Partnership. Such cooperation will not only benefit the two countries and their peoples, but also inject more positive energy into the stability and development of the Indian Ocean region. Looking ahead, China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka and other countries in the Indian Ocean region to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity.
3、There were reports that Sri Lanka approached China regarding the purchase of petroleum pretroleum products in the wake of Middle East crisis. Is there any update on possible cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries?
Qi: The ongoing situation in the Middle East has impacted global energy security. With the Strait of Hormuz nearly at a standstill, Asia has been one of the most directly and severely affected regions. As a responsible major country, China has been playing a constructive role in actively promoting peace and bringing about an end to the conflict. To this end, Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made 26 phone calls with his counterparts from relevant countries. The Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue traveled to the Gulf and Middle East region in a mediation effort. China has called for an immediate ceasefire to restore peace and stability on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations. China and Pakistan jointly put forward the five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region, which calls for immediate cessation of hostilities, start of peace talks as soon as possible, security of nonmilitary targets, security of shipping lanes, and primacy of the United Nations Charter. The initiative reflects the shared aspiration of the international community and has drawn wide attention and broad support since its introduction.
In recent years, China has been making efforts to improve coal utilization efficiency and vigorously developing new energy. However, China’s external dependence on oil remains at over 70%, making it the world’s largest crude oil importer, with about 40 percent of its imported oil transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. The surge in transportation costs caused by the Middle East conflict has significantly affected China’s trade with Middle Eastern countries. China’s large-scale investments in high-risk regions and the safety of tens of thousands of Chinese citizens there have been put at risk. At this critical juncture, instead of scrambling for energy in the international market, China has been working hard to ensure the stability of its own energy supply. Instead of leveraging the situation to bargain with its neighbors, China has been coordinating with other countries, especially neighboring countries, to deal with energy issues. China has thus made significant contributions to safeguarding international energy security and played a key role in ensuring the stability of the regional energy market.
Sri Lanka is currently facing severe fuel shortages, and the government has introduced a series of emergency energy measures. China understands Sri Lanka’s current situation. As a trusted long-term partner, China, despite its own challenges, has made every effort to provide emergency energy support to Sri Lanka. And China is currently the only country providing government-level fuel support to Sri Lanka. The shipments of fuel from Sinopec Energy Lanka has arrived in Sri Lanka on March 18 and April 18 respectively. China stands ready to work closely with Sri Lanka to advance cooperation in the fields of new energy and sustainable development, including wind and solar power, so as to jointly keep Asia's energy industrial and supply chains stable and smooth.
4、What future areas of cooperation have China and Sri Lanka identified to build a more closer cooperation between the two nations?
Qi: The traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka has a long and enduring history. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 69 years ago, the two sides have consistently upheld mutual respect, equality and solidarity. The cooperation, exemplified by the Rice-Rubber Pact, has set a model for developing countries in pursuing equal and mutually beneficial partnerships, laying a solid foundation for the steady and sustained development of bilateral relations.
In recent years, through joint efforts, China and Sri Lanka have achieved fruitful outcomes in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as well as in exchanges and collaboration across various fields. Major landmark projects, such as the Colombo Port City, the Hambantota Integrated Development Project and first Section of the Central Expressway, have been steadily advancing. Cooperation in trade, finance, agriculture, education and cultural exchanges has continued to deepen, making important contributions to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development and the well-being of its people.
Looking ahead, the prospects for practical cooperation between China and Sri Lanka across all sectors are broad and promising. The two sides will focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as logistics, green development and the digital economy; deepen the blue partnership and maritime cooperation; strengthen collaboration in addressing climate change, disaster prevention and mitigation, and emergency response. Further emphasis will be placed on people-centered areas such as poverty reduction, rural revitalization and sustainable agricultural development. Guided by the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, open, green and clean cooperation, a high-standard, people-centered and sustainable approach, both sides stand ready to upgrade the quality of China-Sri Lanka cooperation, jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, and deliver greater benefits to both countries and their peoples.
5. What opportunities will China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan create for developing countries like Sri Lanka in areas such as technology, trade, and investment?
Qi: The 15th Five-Year Plan not only points out the direction for China’s social and economic development, but also sends a clear message that China will continuously share opportunities and progress with the world through high-standard opening up, injecting more certainty and positive energy for a turbulent world. The scientific formulation and continuous implementation of Five-Year Plans represent one of the key experiences of the Communist Party of China in state governance. China’s Five-Year Plans, now globally recognized as an effective model of development planning, have become an important reference for the Global South. China’s development experience fully shows that only through unity and perseverance, can we pool strength and turn visions into reality.
China cannot develop in isolation form the world, and the world also needs China for its development. History and reality have repeatedly proven that the more China develops, the more the world benefits. In other words, partnering with China means embracing opportunities, believing in China means being optimistic about the future, and investing in China means investing in tomorrow. The 15th Five-Year Plan represents a new journey for the common development of China and the rest of the world including Sri Lanka. It will bring more development opportunities by creating a platform for win-win cooperation in digital economy, trade, and commerce. The 15th Five-Year Plan has proposed the building of a major open platform of cooperation for technological innovation and industrial development. It will further open up new prospects for cooperation in areas such as green development, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy. The 15th Five-Year Plan also proposed that China will further expand its high-standard opening up and seek high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. It will not only deepen the physical connectivity of infrastructure, but also promote the people-to-people connectivity between China and partner countries under the BRI framework.
China and Sri Lanka are good friends that share weal and woe, fellow travelers on the path toward development and revitalization, and good partners of win-win cooperation. The Sri Lankan government has formulated and implemented three major initiatives: “Clean Sri Lanka” “Digital Transformation” and “Rural Development”, striving to achieve the vision of “a thriving nation, a beautiful life”, which are highly aligned with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. China will continue to work hand in hand with Sri Lanka to foster greater synergy between development strategies of our two countries. We are ready to advance high-quality BRI cooperation and deepen cooperation in poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, modern agriculture, digital economy, port economy, green economy, tourism, science and technology, entrepreneurship and innovation, and major projects, among other key areas that Sri Lanka concerns most. By doing so, we can help Sri Lanka achieve socio-economic growth, bring more benefits to our two peoples, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future.
6、Do you think Sri Lanka currently provides a conducive environment for increased Chinese investment? What sectors have the most potential?
Qi: Since taking office, the new Sri Lankan government has anchored its efforts on economic recovery and introduced a series of pragmatic measures to maintain social stability, improve the business environment, and boost international investor confidence, achieving initial results. However, Sri Lanka’s current business environment still falls short of international expectations in such areas as fairness, transparency, and policy continuity. I am also pleased to see that the Sri Lankan government has recognized these issues and is taking steps to address them, and I look forward to seeing tangible progress in the near future.
At present, despite global turbulence, China’s outward direct investment has continued to show strong resilience, reaching a record high of USD 174.38 billion in 2025, up 7.1% year on year, while non-financial direct investment in Belt and Road partner countries rose by 17.6%. With its geographic advantages, Sri Lanka is well placed to attract such investment. The two flagship Belt and Road projects—the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone and the Hambantota Integrated Development Project—have already generated a strong demonstration effect, boosting the interest and confidence of Chinese enterprises in investing in Sri Lanka. The memorandum of understanding on RMB clearing arrangements launched by the People’s Bank of China and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has effectively reduced foreign-exchange settlement costs and exchange-rate risks for Chinese-funded enterprises, and will further invigorate cross-border investment in Sri Lanka by small and medium-sized enterprises.
Drawing on its geographical, port and shipping strengths, Sri Lanka can advance the construction of port industrial parks to attract investment from Chinese manufacturing companies. The Sri Lankan government has set a target to meet 70% of its electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2030. The two sides may explore ways for enterprises of the two countries to strengthen cooperation in the green development of new energy, such as solar photovoltaic, wind power and energy storage. The implementation of Sri Lanka’s National Digital Economy Strategy 2030 can draw on China’s experience and technologies in the digital economy. The two sides may also explore the feasibility of promoting bilateral cooperation in new productive forces such as new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence.
7、With projects such as Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port progressing, how does China view Sri Lanka's potential as a regional financial and investment hub in the Indian Ocean region?
Qi: Under the joint efforts of the Chinese and Sri Lankan governments, the two flagship projects—the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone and the Hambantota Integrated Development Project—have maintained strong growth momentum. Over the past four months, the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone has attracted about USD 900 million in foreign investment, with more than 200 enterprises registered there, nearly half engaged in the information technology and related services sectors. Hambantota has positioned itself as a comprehensive hub for shipping, logistics, and industry in the Indian Ocean region. Seizing the opportunities from the restructuring of the global shipping landscape, it has added USD 108 million in equipment investment, raising its annual container-handling capacity to around 2 million TEUs and accelerating the upgrading of its core port capabilities.
At present, amid the spillover effects of the conflict in the Middle East, global capital is accelerating the optimization of its allocation, offering Sri Lanka a historic opportunity to position itself as a regional financial and investment hub in the Indian Ocean. The Sri Lankan government is encouraged to take pragmatic measures to turn this potential into tangible development outcomes. As for enhancing the exemplary role of the two flagship projects—Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port—we are pleased to see that Colombo Port City is steadily strengthening its institutional and legal framework. Earlier this year, the Parliament of Sri Lanka passed the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Act, No. 1 of 2026. At the same time, we hope Sri Lanka will continue to pursue both infrastructure upgrading and stronger financial support, enhance macroeconomic regulation of economic and financial activities, and lay a solid foundation for the high-quality development of industries in Colombo Port City. It is important to ensure full implementation of the relevant laws and regulations governing Colombo Port City, strengthen oversight and enforcement, and crack down resolutely on online gambling and telecom fraud to prevent criminals from exploiting policy loopholes and undermining its sound development. Meanwhile, efforts should be intensified to develop the port-side industrial park at Hambantota, maximize the synergy between Hambantota Port and Colombo Port, develop a container shipping hub for South Asia, and support large-scale development in southern Sri Lanka.
8、Why does China encourage Sri Lanka to finalize a China-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, and what benefits could it bring?
Qi: At present, Sri Lanka has signed bilateral free trade agreements with four countries—India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Thailand—while China has signed 24 free trade agreements with 31 countries and regions. During President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to China on January 16, 2025, the two sides agreed to “strive for the early conclusion, in a package approach, of a comprehensive China-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.” China is advancing the bilateral FTA negotiations aimed at further enhancing the China-Sri Lanka economic and trade cooperation, promoting investment cooperation, and deepening the traditional ties of friendship between the two countries, and is willing to adopt flexible and pragmatic measures to address Sri Lanka’s concerns on a priority basis.
The conclusion of a China-Sri Lanka FTA would bring many benefits to Sri Lanka. On the one hand, China’s consumer market remains the world’s second largest, and measured by purchasing power parity, its real consumption capacity ranks first globally. An FTA would help Sri Lanka’s competitive products—such as tea, spices, fishery and agricultural products, gemstones, and garments—gain greater access to China’s 1.4 billion-strong consumer market, thereby supporting Sri Lanka in diversifying its foreign trade and reducing reliance on a single export market. On the other hand, the early conclusion of the FTA would provide a legal and institutional framework for China-Sri Lanka economic and trade cooperation and boost the confidence of Chinese investors to invest in Sri Lanka.
Some Sri Lankan friends are concerned that, given the large disparity in the size of the two economies, an FTA might lead to an influx of Chinese goods into Sri Lanka’s domestic market. But history offers reassurance: when China and Sri Lanka signed the Rubber-Rice Pact in 1952, China did not take advantage of Sri Lanka even in difficult times, and it certainly will not bully an old friend now. In 2025, China’s total trade in goods amounted to approximately USD 6.35 trillion, reaffirming its position as the world’s largest trading nation. Bilateral trade between China and Sri Lanka, at USD 6.163 billion, accounts for only about one-thousandth of China’s total foreign trade. As China is actively expanding imports, the early signing of an FTA would facilitate the growth of Sri Lanka’s exports to China and foster the development of Sri Lanka’s export-oriented economy.
9、 China has stated that it will firmly uphold the principles of the World Trade Organization in response to U.S. tariff increases and trade disputes. How does China view the impact of this situation on the multilateral trading system?
Qi: Over more than three decades since its establishment, the World Trade Organization has made important contributions to promoting global trade and economic growth. However, the multilateral trading system is now facing severe challenges. In April 2025, the United States announced the imposition of so-called “reciprocal tariffs” on nearly all of its trading partners, including China, and even smaller economies designated by the United Nations as least developed countries were not spared. In February 2026, the United States announced the imposition of a new temporary 10% import surcharge and subsequently launched a new round of Section 301 investigations against certain economies.
The United States’ abusive application of tariffs is tantamount to undermining the right to development of all countries, especially those in the Global South. Sri Lanka is also a victim of U.S. tariff increases, with labor-intensive manufacturing sectors such as apparel and rubber coming under direct pressure. WTO data analysis shows that the imposition of these tariffs will further deepen disparities between rich and poor countries, with developing countries suffering an even greater shock, seriously undermining efforts to achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Development is a universal right of all countries, not the privilege of a few. China has repeatedly stressed that there are no winners in trade wars or tariff wars, and that protectionism leads nowhere. International affairs should be discussed and handled by all through consultation, and the future of the world should be decided by all countries together. China is a firm defender of and active contributor to the multilateral trading system, and stands ready to work with all countries that believe in fairness and justice to oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, and to safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. Openness and cooperation represent the trend of history; mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are what the people desire. The world needs fairness, not hegemonic bullying.
10、 China has long provided assistance to Sri Lanka across a wide range of sectors, including emergency humanitarian relief, social welfare, education, and infrastructure development. Will there be any further assistance in the future?
Qi: From the Rubber-Rice Pact more than 70 years ago, which broke through hegemonic blockades and provided mutual support in difficult times, to the joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in the new era, China and Sri Lanka have always been good neighbors, good friends, and good partners who support each other and pursue common development. China’s assistance to Sri Lanka has always adhered to the basic principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, no political strings attached, and non-interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs. Whenever Sri Lanka encounters difficulties, China extends a helping hand at the earliest opportunity. This bond of solidarity through thick and thin has long been embedded in the development journey of the two countries and has become a vivid example of South-South cooperation.
For many years, China has consistently provided support to Sri Lanka in areas including humanitarian relief, infrastructure, medical and health services, education and people’s livelihood, and foreign-aid training. During the critical period of the fight against COVID-19, amid a global vaccine shortage, China overcame numerous difficulties to provide Sri Lanka with a large quantity of COVID-19 vaccines and medical personal protective equipment (PPE). More than 70% of the Sri Lankan population has been vaccinated with Chinese vaccines. In response to the devastating floods two years ago and the Cyclone Dithwa disaster last year, China swiftly extended assistance, providing Sri Lanka with substantial cash aid and emergency relief supplies.
China-aided projects such as the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the Supreme Court Complex, and the Nelum Pokuna Theatre have all become local landmarks. The National Hospital Outpatient Building and the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Nephrology Hospital have greatly improved local medical and health conditions. Since 2023, China has donated school uniform fabric to Sri Lanka free of charge for four consecutive years, benefiting more than 4.41 million students and achieving 100% coverage of public schools nationwide. The China-aided project for the digital transformation of general education is currently under construction and will build 900 smart classrooms in 500 schools across Sri Lanka, contributes to advancing the digitalization of education in Sri Lanka. China is also building 1,996 affordable housing units in the Colombo area to improve living conditions for low-income groups. In the field of human resources, China has provided training to nearly 14,000 participants from Sri Lanka cumulatively; in 2025 alone, it organized 103 training programs for 881 participants. At present, China is also actively advancing the provision of 100 premium electric buses to Sri Lanka in support of its sustainable development and environmental protection efforts, assisting in the reconstruction of 14 cyclone-damaged bridges, and continuing to provide technical assistance for the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, the National Hospital Outpatient Building, and the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Nephrology Hospital.
No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always remain Sri Lanka’s trustworthy true friend and good brother through adversity. History has proved and will continue to prove that partnering with China means embracing opportunities. Believing in China means being optimistic about tomorrow. Investing in China means investing in the future.
11、In what ways have cultural exchanges, people to people contacts strengthened ties between the two countries?
Qi: The friendship between China and Sri Lanka is long-standing and deep-rooted. From the journey of Master Faxian during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, who traveled west to seek Buddhist scriptures and studying them in Ceylon, to the multiple visits of Zheng He during the Ming Dynasty, these historical milestones have become spiritual symbols of the enduring friendship between our two nations.
Festivals and tea culture serve as vital links in China-Sri Lanka cultural exchanges. Through celebrations such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, International Tea Day, and International Tai Chi Day, we showcase Chinese social culture and lifestyles to the Sri Lankan public. Simultaneously, we actively participate in traditional Sri Lankan celebrations—such as the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Vesak and Poya Days—fostering mutual learning and civilization exchange through these shared experiences.
Tourism provides a crucial window for the people of both nations to perceive and understand one another directly. The hosting of the 2025 China-Sri Lanka-Maldives Tourism Forum inaugurated a new chapter in our cooperation. In the first quarter of 2026, the return of Chinese tourists showed strong momentum; in March, the number of arrivals exceeded 14,000, ranking China as the fourth-largest source of tourists, which reflects the growing enthusiasm for engagement between our peoples.
Education is the warmest bridge for connecting hearts. Currently, more than 100 Sri Lankan students receive financial support to study in China annually, and over a thousand officials participate in short-term training programs. Meanwhile, dozens of Chinese students and monks pursue studies in the Sinhala language and Buddhist studies in Sri Lanka every year. The four Confucius Institutes or Classrooms have become essential channels for Sri Lankan friends to gain a deeper understanding of China, and the popularity of the "Chinese Bridge" competition serves is a vivid illustration of the cultural resonance between our two countries.
The millennial Buddhist bond between China and Sri Lanka is deeply rooted in the hearts of our people. Frequent interactions between the Buddhist communities of both nations have injected lasting spiritual momentum into the development of bilateral relations.
Looking ahead, we will organize more meaningful exchange activities to infuse the thousand-year friendship between China and Sri Lanka with continuous contemporary relevance and vitality, working together to write a new chapter in civilization integration for the new era.