Recently, Prof. Wang Dongxiao, Dean of the Marine Sciences Faculty at Sun Yat-sen University, and Prof. Udaya Mohan Devdas of University of Kelaniya facilitated the signing of a cooperation intent on industry-university-research in the field of marine science. The two sides will take marine science and technology as the core driving force to promote the implementation and transformation of scientific research achievements in the production and operation of enterprises in Sri Lanka, and activate the new driving force for the development of Sri Lanka’s blue economy with Chinese scientific solutions.
Against the backdrop of the deepening promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative, the marine economy has become an important engine for global sustainable development. At the “2025 China-South Asian Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development Cooperation” held on May 15, 2025, experts and scholars from China, Sri Lanka and other countries had in-depth discussions on poverty reduction and development, laying a solid communication foundation for this cooperation. During the forum, Prof. Wang Dongxiao delivered a keynote speech on “The Key Role of Monsoon System Prediction and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Resources in Poverty Reduction and Development”, emphasizing the important significance of regional cooperation for the utilization of marine resources and poverty reduction. His views resonated with those of experts from various countries, highlighting the supporting role of marine scientific research in economic development.
The Faculty of Marine Sciences at Sun Yat-sen University has strong strength in the field of marine scientific research. Over the years, it has been deeply engaged in the research of the East Indian Ocean and has accumulated rich scientific research achievements and practical experience. Since 2010, Prof. Wang Dongxiao’s team has been cooperating with the Department of Fisheries Resources of Sri Lanka and the Marine Environment Protection Authority of Sri Lanka, continuously carrying out voyages and surveys in the East Indian Ocean. In 2012, a Joint Tropical Marine Environment Observation Center was established in the southern part of Sri Lanka, providing data and technical support for subsequent scientific research cooperation and achievement transformation.
The industry-university-research cooperation intent signed this time will focus on the practical application of marine science and technology in the production and operation of enterprises, and make efforts towards the deep integration of “industry, university and research” in a trinity manner. In terms of “university”, the two sides will integrate the scientific research and educational resources of the Faculty of Marine Sciences at Sun Yat-sen University and the local educational advantages of the University of Kelaniya. They will form teams to conduct collaborative research in the fields of marine resource development and marine ecological protection in Sri Lanka, and put forward suggestions on new technologies and solutions suitable for the development of Sri Lanka’s marine economy. The two sides will promote the precise connection between scientific research achievements and the needs of local enterprises in Sri Lanka, guide enterprises to participate in scientific research projects, and promote the technological upgrading of industries such as marine aquaculture, marine new energy development, and marine ecological tourism, achieving the efficient transformation of scientific research achievements into actual economic benefits.
Prof. Udaya Mohan Devadas from the University of Kelaniya said at the signing ceremony that Sri Lanka is rich in marine resources, but there are shortcomings in the technology of resource development and utilization. This cooperation will bring advanced marine science and technology and management experience to Sri Lanka, and promote the sustainable development of marine-related industries. Prof. Wang Dongxiao also pointed out that he hopes that through the deep integration of industry, university and research, the technological advantages of China in the field of marine science can be transformed into a “golden key” to help the development of Sri Lanka’s blue economy, achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.
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Kapila Munasinghe, a national project specialist from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, shared in his speech the experience and progress of offering technical assistance to Sri Lanka through South-South cooperation. He said that the production efficiency, output and commercialization of priority fruits such as bananas, pineapples and mangoes have been improved in Sri Lanka through the transfer of technical expertise and innovative technologies. Noting that these fruits have become more competitive on the domestic and international markets, he said that the cooperation not only helps improve the sustainable development of local agriculture, but also creates more economic opportunities for farmers and relevant industries in Sri Lanka.
Dai Yonghong, dean and distinguished professor of the Institute of Area and International Communication and the School of Foreign Languages, Shenzhen University, said in his speech that China has secured a comprehensive victory in its battle against poverty, successfully eradicating extreme poverty. He noted that China’s experience has demonstrated how the path to prosperity for impoverished regions can be carved out with firm will, strong determination, and concrete actions. He added that China’s approach to poverty alleviation features targeted measures tailored to local conditions, indicating that solutions should be provided based on specific circumstances of different regions and populations.
Wang Dongxiao, dean and professor at the School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, analyzed in his speech the relationship between marine resources and the monsoon system, as well as its profound impact on South Asia’s economy and environment. He noted that by strengthening regional cooperation, particularly in the sustainable use of marine resources and the prediction and management of monsoon systems, significant opportunities for poverty reduction can be brought to South Asian countries.
Shannon Hannibal, representative for the Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka, said in his speech that the longstanding partnership between China and Sri Lanka has continued to deepen through Belt and Road cooperation and the Global Development Initiative over recent years. He noted that in 2023, China funded a project with the FAO to enhance the fruit value chain in Sri Lanka, improving access to international markets for local produce. He said that China also supported sea cucumber farming, rural road construction, and the Mahaweli Water Diversion and Irrigation Project in Sri Lanka, which greatly improved local livelihoods. He stressed that these achievements underscore the value of China-Sri Lanka cooperation in advancing regional poverty reduction and sustainable growth.
Udaya Mohan Devadas, professor at the University of Kelaniya, shared insights into poverty reduction in China, Sri Lanka, and the South Asian region, proposing a comprehensive framework of human resource development to support the planning and implementation of policies and strategies aimed at eradicating poverty. He stated in his speech that the empowered and human resources-driven framework can play a crucial role in improving people’s living standards, generating employment opportunities, and achieving sustainable development, which will offer creative ideas and solutions for poverty reduction efforts in South Asia.
Jinith de Silva, president of the Sri Lanka China Society, recounted in his speech China’s transformation from a poverty-stricken country to a moderately prosperous society in all respects. He highlighted China’s success in driving economic growth in impoverished areas through large-scale population relocation, targeted poverty alleviation efforts, rural revitalization, and tourism development. As of 2020, China had fully eradicated extreme poverty, achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal of ending extreme poverty ahead of schedule. In his speech, he credited China’s political and social system, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, for its clear vision and effective actions.
Liu Zongyi, research fellow and director of the Center for South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, noted in his speech that despite being the world’s most densely populated region with the most pressing development needs, South Asia and the Indian Ocean region continue to face severe challenges posed by poverty. He said that as a global leader in poverty reduction, China has collaborated with South Asian countries on infrastructure development, agricultural modernization, food security, and green growth through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative.
During the forum, Liu Shuangyan, director general of the CICG International Cooperation Department, released the Chinese-English bilingual book Questions and Answers on Chinese Modernization compiled by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies. The book addresses the international community’s questions about Chinese modernization through a question-and-answer format, elucidating its inherent logic and practice pathways.
During the forum, guests visited a thematic book exhibition. The ASLCSCC received books on topics including China’s poverty reduction experience and rural revitalization.
Hosted by the CICG and the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, the event was organized by the CICG Center for Europe and Asia, the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, and the ASLCSCC, and supported by CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., CCCC Construction Group Co., Ltd., and Ceylonese magazine.