On the evening of May 21, the "Tea for Harmony" Yaji Cultural Salon grandly opened at Temple Trees Assembly Hall in Sri Lanka. More than 200 guests attended the event, including Ambassador H. E. Qi Zhenhong, Hon. Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker of Sri Lanka, several Sri Lankan ministers, representatives of the diplomatic missions, overseas Chinese, and friends from various sectors of Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Qi Zhenhong stated that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka dates back centuries, and tea has been a vital thread in the thousand-year history of friendly exchanges, embodying the harmony between humanity and nature, as well as peace and cooperation among people. Chinese tea and Ceylon tea shining together is not only a mutual learning between two great tea-producing regions but also a vivid reflection of the "sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship" between China and Sri Lanka. Through tea, we make friends, savor history, and deepen the bond between our peoples.

Speaker Wickramaratne expressed that tea is a symbol of the deep friendship between the two countries, while the "Yaji" salon showcases the profound essence of harmonious coexistence between human and nature. China is the birthplace of tea, and Sri Lanka is famous for Ceylon black tea. Tea culture has built a bridge for people-to-people connectivity between the two nations. He wished that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka would grow more fragrant over time like pure tea, achieving common prosperity and harmony.

The "Yaji" salon presented traditional cultural items such as traditional Chinese musical instruments, tea arts, and porcelain, allowing the audience to immersively experience the Chinese aesthetic taste and the profound heritage of Chinese culture. The performance and interaction of two robots from China demonstrated the innovative vitality of a technological China. A traditional yet innovative China was perfectly integrated and presented.

Chinese media such as CMG, Xinhua News Agency and Phoenix TV, as well as more than 10 Sri Lankan English, Sinhala, and Tamil media outlets including TV Derana, SLRC, Daily News, Sri Lanka Mirror, and Mawbima, carried out reports on the event.