Beyond the Great Wall: Sri Lankan political journey to modern China

AS our plane touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport, the magnitude of the invitation extended by the Communist Party of China (CPC) was beginning to sink in!

- By Dr. Mahim Mendis

Together with fellow political delegates from Sri Lanka and other Asian nations, we had been given a front-row seat to witness the socio-political and economic transformation of a global giant from the inside. It was more than a diplomatic visit—it was an ideological awakening.

The week-long journey from 24 May to 1 June, spanning the power corridors of Beijing to the cultural serenity of Yunnan Province, gave us unparalleled access to the workings of the CPC and Chinese governance. It was an experience marked by deep reflection, candid exchanges, and compelling observations that challenged long-held perceptions. For me representing Sri Lanka's Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the takeaways were transformative.

A ceremony of shared vision in Beijing

On the morning of 25 May, we were ushered into a grand ceremonial hall of the Communist Party of China, at the heart of Beijing. The meeting, hosted by Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, set the tone for a pan-Asian political dialogue of historical significance. Flanked by leaders such as Ahmad Muzani of Indonesia, Bidhya Devi Bandari of Nepal, Kim Rithy of Cambodia, and Aktam Khaitov of Uzbekistan, the focus was unmistakable “Asia in a Changing World.”

Minister Jianchao’s keynote struck a resonant chord. His emphasis on proactive cooperation, regional mutual trust, and the vision of a shared Asian future underscored China’s commitment to multilateral engagement based on mutual benefit and cultural respect. The thought-provoking dialogue that followed—featuring political stalwarts like Damdin Tsogtbaatar of Mongolia and Mushahid Hussain Sayed of Pakistan-reminded us that Asia must rise together, not be divided by Western narratives or domestic indecision.

Lessons in political discipline and organisational integrity