China-Sri Lanka ties in a changing world

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhen- hong affirms that the so-called “Chinese debt trap” narrative is politically driven and unsupported by facts. Emphasising the strong foundation of bilateral ties, he notes that the scope for cooperation be- tween China and Sri Lanka is broad, with a promising outlook for the future. Further he noted the upcoming visit by Chinese Com- merce Minister Wang Wentao with an eco- nomic and trade del- egation is expected to unlock fresh opportu- nities for deeper bilat- eral cooperation. Prior to his assignment in Colombo, Ambassador Qi served as China’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

- By DINESH WEERAKKODY

Q Your recent article in the FT refers to China as a “more trustworthy partner” for Sri Lanka. What specific factors have shaped this perception, and how is that trust reflected in the current state of bilateral relations?

A The bond between China and Sri Lanka is rooted in mutual respect and generational friendship. We have consistently supported one another on matters of core interest. During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite global vaccine shortages and domestic demand, China supplied Sri Lanka with a substantial volume of vaccines and PPE—more than 70% of Sri Lankans received Chinese vaccines. This played a pivotal role in protecting public health and restoring normalcy. China was also the first country to agree to a debt restructuring framework with Sri Lanka and remains its largest bilateral creditor. The state visit of President Disanayake to China this January marked another milestone, resulting in new cooperation agreements across trade, agriculture, social welfare, and media under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). We are committed to ensuring these projects deliver tangible benefits.

Q Given the potential adverse impact of rising US tariffs on Sri Lanka’s economy and the need to diversify into new markets —particularly for the garment sector—what role can China play in enhancing the country’s industrial resilience and competitiveness?