About the Author
Seelarathna Senarath Veteran Journalist and former Programme Director China Radio International
Written by : Seelarathna Senarath
Ten years have passed since Chinese President Xi Jinping led a delegation to visit Sri Lanka on September 16-17, 2014. The leaders of the two countries conducted in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation and signed a number of cooperation agreements covering many fields such as economy, science and technology, and humanities. The most eye-catching one is the consensus and cooperation plan reached around the Belt and Road Initiative. The friendship between the two countries has yielded fruitful results, with the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port comprehensive development projects continuing to advance.
There have been many unique moments in the China-Sri Lanka friendship. The arrival of the monk Faxian and many other informal connections, including trade on the Silk Road has contributed to build the relationship.
During the Jin Dynasty, the eminent Chinese monk Faxian arrived in Sri Lanka to study Buddhism and wrote the book Buddha’s Country after returning home, which greatly promoted the development of Buddhism in China and the cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka. In 1952, before Sri Lanka had established diplomatic relations with China, ignoring western sanctions and signed the Rice Rubber Trade Agreement with China, setting a precedent for economic and trade exchanges between the two countries after the founding of People’s Republic of China.
Former minister, the late Philip Gunawardena and former Chinese Premier Zhou En Lai are good friends. They met for the first time in 1928 at a conference in Germany and became close friends. That friendship continued until the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1957.
Continuing the father’s legacy, the late Philip Gunawardena’s son, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena recently visited China, as chief guest in the Seventh China-South Asia Exhibition held in Kuming, Yunnan Province at the invitation of the Chinese government. It shows the continued friendship even to the next generation.
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Prime Minister Gunawardena speaking on the occasion appreciated China for its steadfast support to Sri Lanka in protecting its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and for providing timely and effective support to Sri Lanka in difficult times.
He said forward-looking flagship cooperation projects between the two parties, such as Colombo Port City and Hambantota comprehensive development project have greatly boosted Sri Lanka’s economic and social development, as well as the overall development of the region.
Prime Minister Gunawardena said Sri Lanka will work with China to expand cooperation in the fields such as economy and trade, education, tourism and poverty reduction, strengthen international multilateral communication and coordination, and promote the building of an Asian community with a shared future and a community with a shared future for mankind.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Sri Lanka enjoy a time-honored friendship and the two nations share a natural affinity. To consolidate and develop well China-Sri Lanka relations is in line with the fundamental interests and common aspiration of both countries. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to continue to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact characterized by independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support, consolidated political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, advanced high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and continuously deepen the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship.
Xi Jinping stressed that China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national dignity, exploring a modernization path suited to its national conditions, and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Sri Lanka’s economic and social development. The two sides should make joint efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, particularly the two flagship projects of Colombo Port City and Hambantota comprehensive development project, deepen cooperation in logistics, energy, and industry, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture and tourism, marine economy, and other fields. China will continue to import more unique and high-quality products from Sri Lanka, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Sri Lanka. China hopes that Sri Lanka will provide a fair and transparent business environment. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka on rural poverty reduction and help Sri Lanka achieve economic transformation, upgrading and sustainable development. The two sides should further carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of China and Sri Lanka and international fairness and justice, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
“China helps us in many ways with good intentions since the past.
The Rice- Rubber Pact between the two countries is a good example.”
The relationship between Sri Lanka and China dates back to hundreds of years. There had been a certain amount of unofficial relations. It is a relationship devoid of aggression. There had been no interference by China in the political situation in Sri Lanka. The Chinese Republic has been instrumental towards our development projects during almost all administrations since Independence in 1947, for example, during the times of late national leaders D. S. Senanayake, Sir John Kotalawala. S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake, J.R. Jayawardhana, Ranasinghe Premadasa, D.B. wijethunga, Chandriika Bandaranayake, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithreepala Sirisena, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and incumbent President Ranil Wickremasinghe.
China helps us in many ways with good intentions since the past. The Rice – Rubber Pact between the two countries is a good example.
The year 1928 marked the beginning of a friendship that emerged between Late Prime Minister Zhou Enlai and Philip Gunawardena. In 1957, the Late Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike established diplomatic relation with China. Construction of Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICI) had been a major aid project by China at the request of then Prime Minister Late Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The military and economic assistance extended during the tenure of Mahinda Rajapakse had been very beneficial for the defeat of terrorism. China is a true friend and they are anxious to come forward and help. There have been significant events marking the cordial friendship between China and Sri Lanka.
Colombo Port and Port City project are important and useful ventures materialized through the China-Sri Tanka economic agreements. It had been the practice of foreign governments to grant aid by signing long-term lease agreements. But the Chinese government have aid programmers with deeds and gifts. The agreements signed are consistent with international standards. In addition, Chinese governments have different types of aid packages for large scale development projects in Sri Lanka. President Ranil Wickramasinghe is also keen on promoting the long-standing ties between two countries.
Members of China-Sri Lanka friendship organisations as well as other organisations visit each other frequently. Community development projects are also in operation through these friendship organisations which exist since 1950. The first friendship organisation between China and Sri Lanka was established in 1950 with the initiative of the wife of Late Minister Philip Gunawardena. Mrs. Kusuma Gunawardena is the mother of current Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.