By Harshadeva Amarathunga
We just came back from a working trip to Bazhong City in Sichuan Province, China. This journey was not only about official meetings; it was also an opportunity to experience Chinese culture, observe their way of life, and witness the natural beauty of both modern and ancient landscapes that stretch across this vast country.
As Sri Lankans, we encountered so many perspectives on the beauty, ecology, and geology of Bazhong City and, more broadly, China’s extraordinary biodiversity. Beyond the landscape, we also observed the depth of its culture, the warmth of its social structures, and the visible speed of development. These experiences reminded us how essential it is to understand not only our cultural similarities and differences, but also the ways communities shape their lives, values, and progress.
During the working visit, we signed a Memorandum of Friendly Cooperation between the Bazhong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Sri Lanka Cultural Tourism, Economic and Trade Exchange Association. This agreement lays an important foundation for deeper people-to-people ties between Bazhong and Sri Lanka. It focuses on strengthening cultural and tourism exchanges through festivals and shared promotion; supporting economic and trade cooperation, including helping Bazhong-made products enter South Asian markets; and expanding educational partnerships through school exchanges, study tours, and academic collaboration. It also opens a path toward forming a sister-city relationship, marking a meaningful step toward long-term friendship and mutual understanding.
As I highlighted in my speech, the China–Sri Lanka relationship is not something new. It is deeply rooted in history. Our friendship stretches from Faxian’s pilgrimage to the 1952 Rice–Rubber Pact between the People’s Republic of China and Ceylon.
But this is not the full story.
One of the most memorable experiences of our journey was visiting the Guangwu Mountain main scenic zone. We started early in the morning after having a spicy soup with Sichuan peppercorns that gave us enough warmth and energy to face the autumn cold. China’s impressive infrastructure made our journey smooth, with the bus moving comfortably at 120 km/h.
Soon we entered a vast forest dressed in layers of red and orange leaves spreading across 830 square kilometres. As we went deeper, red and yellow maple leaves and Chinese tallow leaves drifted gently onto our path. It reminded me of my wedding day, when my friends threw flower petals at me and my wife as we walked toward the podium.
We took a cable car that carried us to the top of the mountain in less than fifteen minutes. As we glided above the sea of red leaves, it felt like nature had rolled out her own red carpet for us. The cable car sliced through soft white clouds as we climbed higher. A friend from Bazhong whispered that we were entering heaven. I smiled and said, “It is,” with deep respect for the moment. I felt peaceful and calm. Later, I learned we had entered what they call a “natural oxygen bar” because of the high negative-ion air content that reduces stress dramatically.
Another day, we explored a different part of the park and touched the ice-cold, crystal-clear water flowing through the valley. This water gives life to rare dove trees, ancient maples, Chinese tallow trees, and over 2,000 plant species, along with black bears, macaques, antelope, and rare birds. In the afternoon, we visited the Guangwushan Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global Geopark Museum, a fascinating place to learn about the earth, evolution, and miraculous rock formations shaped over hundreds of millions of years. The museum blends panoramic videos, interactive technology, and detailed illustrations with barcoded links, making the experience visually rich and educational.
Yet above all the natural wonders, the most beautiful part of our journey was the friendship we formed with the members of the Bazhong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The laughter, the deep conversations, the playful teasing, and the warmth we shared bonded us in a way that felt as special as the scenery around us.
We also visited Enyang Ancient Town, enjoyed traditional tea, and watched the Sichuan Opera’s Bian Lian face-changing performance, a rare and secret art passed down only to chosen apprentices. The town, more than 1,400 years old, is filled with Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, making it one of the most well-preserved ancient townscapes in the region. Everywhere we went, whether in ancient streets or modern cities, one thing stayed with me: the warmth and sincere friendship we were offered. Sometimes I whispered to myself with pure joy, “seeing is believing.”
During one warm and elegant dinner, we were joking and teasing each other with so much joy. One of our Chinese friends shared a saying that made all of us smile. She said that a hotpot can heal almost any relationship; once the broth begins to boil, tensions begin to cool. It is a beautiful reminder of how food, shared spaces, and simple human warmth can bring people closer. Whenever I sat beside our friends, they filled my plate saying, “Try this, try that, eat more.” It echoed our own Sri Lankan spirit of hospitality. I saw cultural differences and similarities, but most importantly, we celebrated both.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to say goodbye. It was not easy. My heart felt heavier than I expected. We boarded the aircraft carrying all those beautiful memories with us. I truly miss them.
As we reflect on this journey, let us continue strengthening our dedication to meaningful people-to-people friendship. At a time when public rhetoric often overshadows human connection, our visit reminded me that real understanding grows not through megaphone diplomacy but through shared experiences, humility, and simple moments of friendship. We look toward the future with hope and trust.