Carrying Forward the Traditional China-Sri Lanka Friendship, Let Us Build a Brighter Future! – Newly Appointed Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Wei Huaxiang

Aug 11, 2026 at 09:04 PM

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Lanka Leader

H.E. Mr. Wei Huaxiang, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, arrived in Sri Lanka today (11) to assume duties in his new post.

Immediately upon his arrival in Sri Lanka, Ambassador Wei Huaxiang delivered a written statement from the airport premises.

In his written statement, he emphasized:

“In the years ahead, my colleagues and I will dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our duties and forge ahead with determination. We will do our utmost to carry forward our traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese institutions and citizens in Sri Lanka.”

The full text of the written statement delivered by H.E. Ambassador Wei Huaxiang at Bandaranaike International Airport is reproduced below:

Carrying Forward the Traditional Friendship, Ushering in a Brighter Future

Dear Friends from all walks of life in Sri Lanka,

Dear Chinese compatriots in Sri Lanka,

It is a great honor and privilege to be appointed by President Xi Jinping as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the “pearl of the Indian Ocean.” This promising land, with its time-honored and splendid civilization, its magnificent and enchanting scenery, and its kind-hearted and hospitable people, fills me with warmth and inspires in me a deep sense of longing and admiration.

China and Sri Lanka enjoy a traditional friendship that has a long history and continues to grow stronger over time. Two thousand years ago, the ancient “Silk Road” witnessed ships sailing to and fro, weaving a splendid chapter of friendly exchanges between our two countries. Over seventy years ago, the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact stood as a testament to our mutual support and solidarity in times of adversity. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, our two countries have always stood together through thick and thin and forged ahead hand in hand. We have steadfastly cultivated and deepened cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and across various fields, yielding fruitful results that have benefited millions of people in both China and Sri Lanka. Looking back through the long course of history—from the solitary sail of Master Faxian, who traveled westward to seek Buddhist scriptures, to Admiral Zheng He’s mighty fleet cleaving through the waves; from the Prince of Ceylon settling in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, and making a foreign land his home, to the sincere affection of the Sri Lankan people in gifting three baby elephants to Chinese children; and from the China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology(JRDC) safeguarding the source of life, to the school uniform fabrics benefiting millions of students across the island—the China-Sri Lanka friendship, spanning mountains and seas and enduring through the passage of time, has always shone with the warmest and most heartening light. On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and heartfelt respect to all those from various sectors in both countries who have cared for and supported China-Sri Lanka friendship.

The prospects of China-Sri Lanka friendship are broad and promising. In 2025, President Xi Jinping met with President Dissanayake and Prime Minister Amarasuriya respectively during their visits to China, reaching important consensus and fruitful outcomes of cooperation. These high-level exchanges have provided new strategic guidance for the growth of our bilateral relations. China-Sri Lanka relations are now facing a historic opportunity to both build on past success and forge ahead into the future. China always takes Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. Our two countries are fellow travelers on the path toward development and revitalization, and good partners of win-win cooperation. We are also good brothers and good friends that share weal and woe. At present, the Chinese people, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, are engaged in the endeavors to build a great country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. Sri Lanka is also focusing on economic development and improving people’s livelihoods, striving to achieve the vision of “a thriving nation, a beautiful life”. China is ready to walk side by side with Sri Lanka, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, and open up broad prospects for mutual success and shared prosperity, so as to continue to deepen our strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship, and work together to build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future.

Next year, China and Sri Lanka will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact. At this important juncture, I have been entrusted by my motherland and its people to serve as the Ambassador to Sri Lanka. I am deeply aware of the glorious mission and significant responsibility this entails. In the years ahead, my colleagues and I will dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our duties and forge ahead with determination. We will do our utmost to carry forward our traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese institutions and citizens. In this endeavor, my work cannot be accomplished without the support and assistance of friends from all sectors in both China and Sri Lanka. I look forward to more frequent contact, closer communication, and deeper friendship with all of you, and I welcome your views and suggestions. Let us join hands and make unremitting efforts to usher in a brighter future for China-Sri Lanka relations.

Thank you all!