Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra represented Sri Lanka at the 7th China–South Asia Cooperation Forum held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, under the theme “Strengthening Cooperative Partnership for a Community with a Shared Future with Neighbouring Countries.”
Addressing the forum, the Deputy Minister reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to regional cooperation, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, inclusiveness, and shared development. He stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships among neighbouring countries to promote sustainable growth, stability, and prosperity across the region.
Highlighting the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and China, Hemachandra noted that centuries of cultural exchanges, trade relations, and people-to-people ties have laid the foundation for a strong partnership that continues to contribute significantly to Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development.
The Deputy Minister also outlined the Government’s efforts to build a stable, transparent, investor-friendly economy, with a focus on trade, investment, tourism, digital transformation, renewable energy, agriculture, education, skills development, and the blue economy as key drivers of sustainable growth.
Emphasizing Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean, he pointed to the country’s potential to serve as a vital hub linking South Asia, East Asia, and global markets. He also expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Yunnan Province in areas such as tourism, education, agriculture, tea, gems, healthcare, trade, logistics, innovation, and cultural exchanges.
The forum also provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, youth engagement, educational exchanges, digital technology, artificial intelligence, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and South-South cooperation.
Concluding his remarks, Deputy Minister Hemachandra reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to working closely with China, South Asian partners, and multilateral platforms to advance shared goals and build a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive future for the region.
