China’s newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Sri Lanka, Wei Huaxiang, arrived in the country today to assume his diplomatic post, pledging to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.
In a statement issued upon his arrival, Ambassador Wei described his appointment as a “great honour and privilege” and expressed his admiration for Sri Lanka’s rich history, natural beauty and hospitable people.
Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between the two countries, Wei referred to centuries of maritime and cultural exchanges, the Rubber-Rice Pact and the strengthening of bilateral relations since China and Sri Lanka established diplomatic ties.
He said cooperation between the two countries had expanded into a wide range of sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both nations.
The new envoy also highlighted high-level engagements between the two countries, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya during their respective visits to China in 2025.
According to Wei, those meetings provided new strategic direction for China-Sri Lanka relations and opened further opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
He said China considers Sri Lanka a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and is ready to deepen cooperation in support of Sri Lanka’s economic development and efforts to improve the livelihoods of its people.
Wei also pointed to several ongoing examples of bilateral cooperation, including the China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology and China’s provision of school uniform materials to Sri Lankan students.
Looking ahead, the Ambassador noted that China and Sri Lanka will commemorate two significant milestones in 2027 — the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact.
He said he looked forward to working with the Sri Lankan government and people to further strengthen the traditional friendship, mutual trust and practical cooperation between the two countries.
