China has reiterated its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Sri Lanka under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), pledging continued support for infrastructure, trade, and cultural exchanges as part of what Beijing describes as a “shared future partnership.”
Speaking at a commemorative event at the BMICH on Wednesday (20) marking the 80th Anniversary of the “Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War,” Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong underscored the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.
“This epic new chapter of cooperation is the most vibrant tribute to history, the most solid foundation for peace, and will surely paint an even brighter picture for the future of Sri Lanka,” Ambassador Qi said.
He emphasized that the two countries have long been connected by the ancient maritime Silk Road, a foundation upon which modern collaboration continues to thrive.
Over the past decade, Sri Lanka has been a central partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative in South Asia.
Major infrastructure projects, including the Hambantota Port, the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, the Southern Expressway extension, and the landmark Colombo Port City, stand as symbols of Beijing’s investment in Sri Lanka’s economic transformation.
These projects, often financed through Chinese loans and concessional assistance, have reshaped Sri Lanka’s connectivity and urban landscape.
Most recently, China has pledged new assistance packages, including concessional loans and technical support for energy sector modernization, renewable power projects, and digital infrastructure development.
Agreements signed this year also include cooperation in agriculture, water management, and disaster relief, aimed at bolstering Sri Lanka’s post-crisis recovery.
China has already extended billions in aid and credit lines to Sri Lanka in recent years, including emergency support during the island’s debt crisis. Beijing was also among the first bilateral lenders to extend debt restructuring assurances to Sri Lanka during its IMF-led recovery program, further consolidating its role as Colombo’s key development partner.
Ambassador Qi highlighted that cooperation extends beyond physical infrastructure. “From the progress of the Hambantota Port to the rise of the Colombo Port City, and from infrastructure connectivity to the deepening of cultural exchanges, we are jointly writing a vivid chapter in the building of a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future through concrete actions,” he said.
Sri Lankan officials, meanwhile, have welcomed continued Chinese support as vital for stabilizing the country’s economy, particularly in the face of debt challenges and fiscal constraints. As Sri Lanka navigates its recovery, analysts say Beijing’s BRI-linked projects and aid packages will play a crucial role in shaping both short-term relief and long-term growth prospects.
