The relations between Sri Lanka and China will enter a new stage on the basis of previous achievements, said Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.  

He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) during his state visit to China from Jan 14 to 17 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The interview was aired last Friday (Jan. 24). 

China will actively support Sri Lanka in focusing on economic development and the two countries should jointly foster new highlights in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as cooperation in modern agriculture, digital economy and marine economy, President Xi Jinping said in the talks.

“During our talks on Jan 15, President Xi Jinping said that China’s development achievements are not only the results of endeavor in the last 10 or 20 years, but also the results of hard work by generations of Chinese people united as one. These words impressed me,” said Dissanayake in an interview with China Media Group aired on Friday.

“In my opinion, the Chinese government always puts the people first when formulating targets or plans, or implementing any policy. The new government of Sri Lanka is also working hard to fulfill its purpose of serving the people. During the meeting with President Xi Jinping, our two sides focused on how to consolidate and develop Sri Lanka-China relations. Sri Lanka and China enjoy a time-honored friendly relationship, with bilateral economic and trade exchanges boasting a history of around 1,000 years. I believe that through this visit to China and our meetings with Chinese leaders, bilateral relations will enter a new stage on the basis of previous achievements,” said Dissanayake.

Behind China’s achievements, a history of relentless struggle

The Sri Lankan President, who assumed office in September last year, said that while this was his first visit to China as president, it was not his first encounter with the nation. 

“My first visit to China was in 2004 when I served as Minister of Agriculture. Two decades have passed in the blink of an eye. Over these 20 years, China has made extraordinary achievements in areas such as economy, social governance, and technology. During this visit, I can feel changes that have taken place in China,” he said. 

Recalling his visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and Huawei’s R&D center, Dissanayake expressed deep admiration for China’s commitment to technological innovation. 

“I have been to Beijing and Shanghai, and I also visited Huawei’s R&D center. China’s substantial investment in technological research and development has led to remarkable achievements in this area. These achievements have greatly contributed to the country’s development,” he said. 

One of the key moments of his visit to China was a tour of the Museum of the Communist Party of China, where he learned about the nation’s incredible journey of overcoming challenges to achieve prosperity. 

“Behind all of China’s achievements lies a history of relentless struggle. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the country has endured countless hardships, challenges and tests throughout different stages of development, ultimately achieving the prosperity it enjoys today. At the museum, I learned about the Chinese people’s journey of toil and hard work. Their unwavering belief and refusal to give up left a profound impression on me. This lesson is not unique to China. It is applicable to the development of all countries. Moreover, China’s progress in areas like space exploration, infrastructure construction, and science and technology reflects the boundless wisdom and determination of its people,” he said.

Global South

Meanwhile, President Dissanayake also said that Chinese modernization will provide experience for the development of the Global South.

According to the Sri Lankan president, Chinese modernization is of great significance to the development of the Global South countries, as it has shattered the myth of Westernization equalizing modernization.

“Each country should draw from its own characteristics to develop a modern model of growth that suits its specific needs, rather than simply replicating the development experiences of others. In exploring their own development paths, nations should consider various factors including their geographical location, resources, cultural heritage, international environment, and economic foundations,” he said. 

Dissanayake spoke highly of the important initiatives proposed by China, stressing that they pave the way for global progress, especially in a period of turbulence and transformation. 

“Sri Lanka is a small country with a small economy, and we are by no means a geopolitical player. The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China have upheld the diversity of the world and provided support for meaningful global progress. Under the Global Development Initiative, human progress and development will benefit everyone. The Global Security Initiative is universal and inclusive. The Global Civilization Initiative recognizes the diverse civilizations, cultures, and people’s shared values of various countries. Each country has its own cultural identity rooted in their unique civilization, which should not undermine other cultures. I believe these three global initiatives pave the way for global development,” said Dissanayake.