China-Sri Lanka seminar on experience exchange in economic development and poverty alleviation

ON 25 April, the Embassy hosted a reception at Colombo Port City for participants of the China-Sri Lanka Seminar on Experience Exchange in the Field of Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation.

- 

Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka Nandika Kumanayaka attended and delivered speeches. Around 40 guests, including participants of the seminar and officials from relevant Government departments of Sri Lanka, attended the event.

Ambassador Qi congratulated the participants on the successful conclusion of the seminar and expressed the hope that they would become important bridges and bonds for China-Sri Lanka friendship and cooperation. He emphasised that the success of Chinese modernisation shows clearly that modernisation does not mean Westernisation. Every country can walk its own path, based on its own history, values, and strengths. China and Sri Lanka are good partners in pursuing development. China firmly supports Sri Lanka in pursuing a modernisation path suited to its own national conditions. He expressed confidence that under the strong leadership of President Dissanayake, the Sri Lankan people will overcome risks and challenges and write a new chapter of national renewal. However, development is never easy. The US recently took the unilateral step of imposing so-called “reciprocal tariffs” on all its trading partners, attempting to deprive other countries of their rights to free trade and development for its own selfish interests. Such actions have severely undermined the interests of developing countries, including China and Sri Lanka. In the face of such tariff bullying and power politics, China has no choice but to stand firm and respond with strong countermeasures. This is not only about defending China’s own legitimate rights and interests, but also about standing up for fairness and justice, upholding the rules-based international order, and safeguarding the development rights of all nations.