About the Interviewee
Prof. Dr. He Hongmei, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, China
As the global digital economy continues to expand, digital technologies are reshaping international trade, industrial cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. As an important country in the Indian Ocean region, Sri Lanka has in recent years actively advanced its digital transformation, seeking to enhance economic vitality, improve public services, and create new opportunities for development through the digital economy. China, as a major contributor to global digital development, has accumulated extensive experience in areas such as e-commerce, mobile payments, smart cities, artificial intelligence, and digital skills training. Looking ahead, how can China and Sri Lanka extend their cooperation from traditional trade to broader digital connectivity? To explore this question, our correspondent interviewed Professor He Hongmei, a long-time scholar of South Asian regional cooperation.
Journalist: In recent years, China–Sri Lanka economic cooperation has continued to deepen. In your view, what is the significance of this transition from traditional trade and infrastructure cooperation to digital cooperation?
Professor He: Cross-border e-commerce has created new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in international trade, while fundamentally transforming traditional trade models. For Sri Lanka, the development of cross-border e-commerce is of significance. Sri Lanka is home to a wide range of distinctive products, including Ceylon tea, gemstones, spices, textiles, and tourism-related products. These products enjoy strong appeal in international markets. However, in the past, many Sri Lankan SMEs found it difficult to access overseas consumers directly due to constraints in sales channels, brand promotion, and logistics networks.
Digital platforms now enable Sri Lankan businesses to connect more directly with Chinese consumers and the global marketplace. China’s well-developed e-commerce ecosystem, efficient logistics infrastructure, and extensive experience in digital marketing can help increase the visibility and market reach of Sri Lankan specialty products. At the same time, the growing demand among Chinese consumers for high-quality imported goods presents new commercial opportunities for Sri Lankan enterprises.
Looking ahead, China and Sri Lanka can further deepen cooperation in three key areas. First, they can strengthen collaboration between cross-border e-commerce platforms to facilitate greater access for Sri Lankan businesses to the Chinese market. Second, they can enhance digital marketing capabilities by promoting Sri Lankan brands through social media, livestreaming e-commerce, and other innovative online channels. Third, they can improve the integration of logistics and digital payment systems to increase the efficiency, convenience, and security of cross-border transactions.
Ultimately, cross-border e-commerce is more than simply a new way of trading goods—it represents a new form of economic connectivity that strengthens commercial ties, expands market access, and brings the people and economies of China and Sri Lanka closer together.
Journalist: Digital payment has become an integral part of China’s digital economy. What lessons can Sri Lanka draw from China’s experience?
Professor He: The rapid development of digital payment has transformed both consumer behavior and the way financial services are delivered. In recent years, China’s mobile payment ecosystem has not only improved commercial efficiency but also promoted greater financial inclusion.
For Sri Lanka, the development of digital payment systems offers multiple benefits. First, digital payments can reduce transaction costs and improve overall economic efficiency. In sectors such as tourism, retail, and small businesses, convenient payment methods can significantly enhance the consumer experience. Second, digital payment can expand access to financial services. In areas where traditional banking services remain limited, digital finance can provide more people with convenient and affordable financial services, thereby promoting inclusive development. Third, digital payment can support the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. As the number of Chinese and international visitors continues to increase, improving the convenience of digital payment services would enhance Sri Lanka’s competitiveness as a tourist destination.
At the same time, the development of digital payment should be accompanied by strong safeguards for data security, effective financial regulation, and the protection of personal privacy. China and Sri Lanka can strengthen exchanges of experience and jointly explore a digital finance model that best suits Sri Lanka’s national conditions.
Journalist: Tourism is one of Sri Lanka’s pillar industries. How can digital technologies help upgrade tourism cooperation between China and Sri Lanka?
Professor He: Tourism cooperation has long been an important component of China–Sri Lanka relations. Sri Lanka is endowed with abundant natural resources and cultural heritage, including ancient cities, Buddhist heritage sites, beautiful coastal landscapes, and unique ecological attractions. Meanwhile, China is one of the world’s largest outbound tourism markets.
Looking ahead, digital technologies can play a much greater role in advancing bilateral tourism cooperation. For example, smart tourism platforms can help achieve several objectives. First, digital maps, intelligent tour guides, and multilingual services can greatly improve visitors’ travel experience. Second, big data analytics can optimize tourism resource management and enable more targeted marketing strategies. Third, online cultural exhibitions and digital storytelling can allow Chinese tourists to gain a deeper understanding of Sri Lankan culture even before they travel. More importantly, digital technology can facilitate not only the movement of tourists but also exchanges between civilizations. Tourism is fundamentally about people-to-people interaction. Digital platforms can serve as an important bridge connecting the peoples of China and Sri Lanka, enabling more Chinese people to learn about Sri Lanka while allowing more Sri Lankans to better understand China.
Journalist: Beyond technology and infrastructure, do you believe talent development should also be a key pillar of China–Sri Lanka digital cooperation?
Professor He: Absolutely. In my view, talent is the most valuable resource for the digital economy. Competition in the digital age is not only about technology—it is also about human capital. Any country pursuing digital transformation requires a large pool of professionals equipped with digital skills, innovative thinking, and a global outlook.
Sri Lanka has a solid educational foundation and a young population, giving it considerable potential in areas such as software development and information technology services. China and Sri Lanka can further strengthen cooperation in digital skills development in several ways. First, they can jointly cultivate talent in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing. Second, they can deepen collaboration among universities, research institutions, and enterprises to strengthen innovation ecosystems. Third, they can expand youth exchange programs to nurture the next generation of professionals who will support future digital cooperation between the two countries. Through sustained cooperation in talent development, China–Sri Lanka digital cooperation will become more resilient, sustainable, and future-oriented.
Journalist: Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of China–Sri Lanka digital cooperation?
Professor He: I believe digital cooperation will become a new engine driving the growth of China–Sri Lanka relations. The strength of bilateral cooperation lies not only in the complementarity of our economies but also in our shared aspiration to achieve modernization through development. The digital economy provides both countries with a broad new space for cooperation.
In my view, future China–Sri Lanka digital cooperation can evolve around a four-pillar framework. First, cross-border e-commerce can upgrade bilateral trade by enabling more Sri Lankan specialty products to reach the Chinese market. Second, digital payment systems can facilitate trade and tourism by making economic transactions more efficient and convenient. Third, smart tourism can deepen people-to-people exchanges and enhance mutual understanding between our two societies. Fourth, digital skills training can provide a solid foundation for long-term cooperation by cultivating a new generation of talent equipped for the digital era.
From traditional trade to digital connectivity, China–Sri Lanka cooperation is entering a new stage of development. Digital technology is far more than a tool, it is an important bridge connecting countries, economies, and civilizations. I am confident that through joint efforts, China and Sri Lanka can build a new model of mutually beneficial cooperation in the digital age.