On May 24, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong gave an exclusive interview to Thinakaran Vaaramanjary, a leading Tamil-language newspaper in Sri Lanka, answering questions on China-Sri Lanka relations and friendly cooperation as well as China’s foreign policy, etc.. The full text is as follows:
1. China and Sri Lanka has very long friendship and goodwill and was renewed in 1970's by Mrs. Srimavo Bandaranaike who ruled 1970 to 1977. The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall(BMICH) was a gift from China. China has helped in numerous ways and we are thankful. What do you say about the long history of our friendship?
The friendship between China and Sri Lanka has spanned over two thousand years while withstanding the test of time and challenges of adversity, and still remains deeply rooted and flourishing. From the monk Faxian, who traveled in search of Buddhist scriptures, to the navigator Zheng He, who crossed the oceans, these historical figures left an enduring legacy of people-to-people exchange, resonating as echoes across the ancient Silk Road. More than 70 years ago, breaking through immense obstacles, our two nations signed the historic Rubber-Rice Pact. This agreement not only opened the door to friendly ties but also demonstrated the unyielding spirit and fortitude of both peoples in defying power politics. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, China and Sri Lanka have consistently respected each other, treated each other as equals and stood by each other, and set a fine example of friendly interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries. The China-aid construction projects in Sri Lanka, including the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall(BMICH), the Supreme Court Complex, the National Hospital Outpatient Department Building, the China-Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital in Polonnaruwa, the China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Center for Water Technology in Kandy, and the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre(Lotus Pond Theatre), have all become symbols of China-Sri Lanka friendship.
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. 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.
At present, China-Sri Lanka relations are facing a historic opportunity to both build on past success and forge ahead into the future. 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, and jointly building a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future.
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 and in exchanges and cooperation across various fields, jointly expanding collaboration in port economy, modern agriculture, digital economy, culture, tourism and other fields. The Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port have prospered by harnessing the sea, effectively boosting Sri Lanka's economic and social development, while also delivering tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
Looking ahead, China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future to deliver greater benefits to the people of both countries.
2. Can you elaborate on the humanitarian assistance rendered by people of China during Ditwa cyclone in November last year?
China and Sri Lanka enjoy a time-honored and enduring friendship. Both countries have always been good friends and good brothers featuring sincere mutual assistance. Whenever Sri Lanka encounters difficulties and challenges, China has always been among the first to offer support and assistance. In the face of the severe natural disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government, relevant departments, Chinese-funded enterprises in Sri Lanka, and the Chinese community acted swiftly to extend a helping hand to Sri Lankan friends.
The Communist Party of China provides disaster relief assistance worth RMB 1 million through the party-to-party channel. The Chinese government immediately activated its emergency assistance mechanism, providing Sri Lanka with USD 1 million in emergency cash assistance and emergency relief supplies worth RMB 10 million, including tents, drinking water, food and medical supplies urgently needed in the disaster area. A China-aided bridge reconstruction project was launched in Sri Lanka. Altogether, 14 bridges, including 9 high-cost and technically complex ones, will be reconstructed. The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries donated RMB 500,000 in cash and supplies worth RMB 1 million. The Red Cross Society of China, through the Sri Lanka Red Cross, urgently allocated USD 100,000 in special aid funds to support local humanitarian efforts, including the relocation and resettlement of affected people and the treatment of the injured.
The Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Sri Lanka quickly launched a donation campaign, raising over 19.5 million Sri Lankan rupees in relief funds. Chinese companies actively participated in repair, emergency response, and disaster relief efforts. For example, CHEC Port City Colombo urgently mobilized 12 heavy-duty machines to participate in road clearance and search-and-rescue operations along the A5 mountain tunnel site. Huawei company promptly deployed over 80 engineers to the front line to restore telecommunications networks. Chinese community organizations in Sri Lanka launched heartwarming charitable programs, raising over 10 million rupees in donations. Many overseas Chinese volunteers have also joined rescue efforts, working in shelters and distribution centers.
In the future, China will, as always, continue to assist Sri Lanka within its capacity, work together to overcome the difficulties, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future.
3. Many countries economy have been shuttered by the ongoing Iran war. Sri Lanka is one of those country which going through the hardship without any direct involvement. We wish to know China's stand in this war?
The root cause of the conflict is the U.S.-Israeli launch of military attacks against Iran in violation of international law. This is a war that should not have happened—it is a war that does no one any good. China's principled position on the Iranian situation and the broader Middle East conflict is to bring about ceasefire and end hostilities, and to facilitate peace through dialogue. We advocate for respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting the abuse of force, and adhering to the international rule of law.
Since the conflict began, China has held objective, just and balanced position and has been working to help bring about ceasefire and the end to the conflict. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made dozens of phone calls with parties including Iran, Israel, Russia and the Gulf states. The Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue traveled to the region in a mediation effort. China has also consistently called for an immediate ceasefire at the UN Security Council and other multilateral platforms. Together with Pakistan, China proposed a five-point initiative on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, which aligns with the common aspirations of the international community. Furthermore, China has coordinated with Global South countries, including Sri Lanka, to address shifts in the global energy landscape and safeguard regional and international energy and economic security.
China welcomes all efforts conducive to ceasefire and the end of hostilities. During his meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the UAE, President Xi Jinping made four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East: upholding the principles of peaceful coexistence, respecting national sovereignty, adhering to the international rule of law, and balancing development and security. These proposals provide a Chinese solution for resolving conflicts and achieving peace, garnering increasing recognition and support from regional countries and the international community.
As a responsible major country, China will continue to play a constructive role in easing the situation in the spirit of President Xi's four-point proposal. We remain committed to working with regional countries and the international community to make sustained efforts toward the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.
4. This war also send a strong message that countries no longer depend solely on fossil fuels and urgently seek alternative energy resources. What China think about it?
The current global energy crisis once again underscores the significant risks of over-reliance on conventional fossil fuel imports. Countries need to re-evaluate their energy security strategies and accelerate the energy transition. China, as the world's largest crude oil importer with an external dependence on oil exceeding 70%, has long been dedicated to accelerating the development of a new energy system and promoting green transition.
At the United Nations Climate Summit in September 2025, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced China's 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases. This is the first time that China put forward an absolute emissions reduction target, which is a testament to China's firm resolve and maximum effort. In March 2026, the 15th Five-Year Plan, adopted by the National People's Congress, proposed that a new energy system that is clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient should take shape by 2030, raising the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to 25%, promoting energy saving and carbon reduction in key sectors, accelerating the optimization and upgrading of the industrial, energy and transport structures, and lowering energy intensity per unit of GDP.
By the first quarter of 2026, China's total installed power capacity reached nearly 4,000 gigawatts, which is approximately three times that of the United States, making it rank first in the world and account for nearly 30% of the global total. Clean energy generation from hydropower, nuclear power, wind power and solar power at industrial enterprises above designated size reached 700 billion kilowatt-hours, up 2.8% year-over-year, accounting for 33.2% of the total power generation of such enterprises, showcasing a significant rise in the share of clean energy. China's successful experience demonstrates that vigorously developing renewable energy is an effective path to enhancing national energy security and resilience.
Meanwhile, China has been acting as a responsible major country in promoting the global development of renewable energy. Chinese companies continue to supply high-quality and cost-effective renewable energy products and technologies, providing viable solutions for the replacement of fossil fuels and opening up a new pathway for developing countries to directly embrace green development. China has supplied 70% of the world's wind power equipment and 80% of its photovoltaic modules, driving down global wind power and solar power costs by more than 60% and 80%, respectively. China has also carried out green energy cooperation projects with more than 100 countries and regions, including Sri Lanka, and built a number of landmark new energy projects, making important contributions to the global energy transition.
The story of global energy transition should not only be a "China story." Rather, it should be a "global story" of solidarity and cooperation. China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to write a "Sri Lankan story" together-deepening green cooperation, promoting a closer partnership in new energy fields including wind and solar power, and continuing to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka, so as to help Sri Lanka achieve its energy transition and sustainable development goals, and jointly make even greater contributions to the global green and low-carbon energy transition.
5. Can you tell about Chinese funded training programs or job opportunities in China for our youths?
The Chinese government attaches great importance to comprehensive educational cooperation with Sri Lanka. To strengthen Sri Lanka's capacity building, over the years, the Chinese Government has used China aid funds to hold various training programs in China, inviting nearly 14,000 Sri Lankan political and business representatives to participate in seminars in China. In 2025, the Chinese government invited nearly 1,000 Sri Lankan friends to participate in over 100 training programs in China, including 19 bilateral programs tailored to Sri Lanka's specific needs. The training content covered 17 major areas, including public administration, trade and economics, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries, education, health, resources and environment, and disaster management. Participants came from various Sri Lankan ministries, research institutions, business associations, and enterprises.
6. There is a general view that UN has become weaker organization and unable to work strongly in conflict areas. It's impartiality has become questionable. What do you have to say?
The United Nations is one of the most important outcomes of the victory of World War II and the cornerstone of the modern international relations system. The UN has played an irreplaceable role in upholding world peace and security, and advancing socio-economic development over the past 80 years. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter constitute the basis of international law and are the norms and standards in practicing international rule of law. Nothing can be accomplished without following norms and standards. The world lacks order not because the UN is outdated, but exactly because the purposes and principles of the UN Charter are being breached and distorted. The selective application of the UN Charter by individual countries will only push the world back to a situation where the law of the jungle prevails and the strong prey on the weak, and seriously undermine the foundation of the international system and rules.
As the development of the UN stands at a historical crossroads, President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Governance Initiative(GGI), the core tenets of which are compatible with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The most explicit message of the GGI is that the leading status of the UN must be upheld, not challenged; the central role of the UN must be strengthened, not weakened. The UN is not perfect, but without the UN, the world would only be worse. Creating parallel structures outside the UN or, worse still, putting together various exclusive blocs and circles is unpopular and unsustainable. The most unequivocal requirement of the GGI is that the UN must keep pace with the times, improve its governance system through reform, and adapt to the evolving international situation and the changing dynamics in the global balance of power in the 21st century. In particular, it should enhance the voice and representation of countries of the Global South, and better reflect the legitimate demands of developing countries. The goal is to build a more just and equitable global governance system.
China is a founding member of the UN and a staunch defender of its cause. As the largest developing country, China is more conscious of the ardent expectations of Global South countries. Both the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS, which China took part in building, take abiding by the UN Charter as their primary guideline, and both are exploring and accumulating useful experience for reforming and improving global governance. China calls on more countries to participate in and support the GGI, and to work together to revitalize the UN, defend the UN and make the UN stronger.