Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has concluded a highly successful state visit to the People’s Republic of China, marking a pivotal moment in the longstanding relationship between the two nations. The visit was at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and is seen as a major step in strengthening Sri Lanka-China bilateral ties across various sectors, including trade, investment, and economic cooperation. During his visit, President Dissanayake was received by President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where he was honoured with a ceremonial Guard of Honour. The two leaders held extensive discussions on a range of subjects, including economic and trade relations, investment opportunities, tourism, digital transformation, and multilateral cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their strategic partnership, emphasizing mutual respect for sovereignty and peaceful coexistence.
Following the official talks, President Xi hosted a lavish State Banquet in honour of his Sri Lankan counterpart. During the banquet, President Dissanayake extended an invitation to President Xi to visit Sri Lanka, further cementing the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries. In addition to his meeting with President Xi, President Dissanayake also engaged with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who welcomed the Sri Lankan leader with a discussion on mutual interests. This included topics such as development cooperation, trade, investment, and economic collaboration. Furthermore, President Dissanayake met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, to explore additional areas of cooperation.
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A highlight of the visit was the exchange of 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two governments. Notably, these included a significant RMB 500 million grant from China for economic and technical cooperation, the formation of an Investment and Economic Cooperation Working Group, and agreements to facilitate market access for Sri Lankan agricultural products to China. The MoUs also cover media cooperation, tourism promotion, and an array of initiatives under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). One of the most significant agreements signed during the visit was a partnership with the Sinopec Group for a USD 3.7 billion investment in an export-oriented petroleum refinery in Hambantota. This represents one of the largest foreign investments in Sri Lanka to date and is expected to play a transformative role in the country’s energy sector. While India remains a key partner in Sri Lanka’s energy landscape, the Sinopec deal signals a growing Chinese footprint in the sector, raising both opportunities and challenges for the region.
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In addition to the economic agreements, President Dissanayake also addressed the “Invest in Sri Lanka” Roundtable in Beijing, attended by senior representatives from Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and other prominent companies. In his remarks, he outlined Sri Lanka’s broader economic vision and invited Chinese investors to expand their presence in the country. Several Chinese SOEs expressed interest in initiating new investment projects in Sri Lanka and further expanding existing ventures. As part of the cultural and diplomatic engagements during his visit, President Dissanayake paid tribute at the Monument of the People’s Heroes in Beijing and visited the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao Zedong. Additionally, in Chengdu, he visited Zhan Qi, a model village renowned for its poverty alleviation initiatives, to exchange best practices with local leaders. He also toured the Chengdu National Agricultural and Science Center and met with Wang Xiaohui, the Party Secretary of Sichuan Province.
Throughout his visit, President Dissanayake was accompanied by a delegation, including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath; Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake; and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China, Majintha Jayesinghe. Senior officials from Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Beijing also played an essential role in supporting the visit. As a result of this successful state visit, Sri Lanka is poised to benefit from increased investments, enhanced trade relationships, and strategic partnerships with China, further solidifying its position as a key player in the region.
