China South Asia Expo opens in Kunming

China’s VP pledges more assistance to South Asian nations including SL

By Sunil Jayasiri in Kunming, China

Vice President of China Li Yuanchao yesterday pledged more assistance to South Asian nations, including Sri Lanka, in many fields.

Inaugurating the China South Asia Expo in Kunming, in the Yunnan Province, Yuanchaohighlighted the close links between Sri Lanka and China especially in the field of diplomacy while making a special comment on Sri Lanka.

He also mentioned Sri Lanka’s move to ink the Rubber-Rice Pact in the 1950s even though there were no diplomatic missions between the two countries at the time.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3rd China-South Asia Expo and the 23rd China Kunming Import and Export Fair at the state-of-the-art mega exhibition complex, the Kunming Dianchi International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Yuanchao also highlighted the importance of connectivity among countries for economic advancement.



He said that China had paid attention to improving transportation infrastructure in the region. As an example Yuanchaoalso mentioned the Chinese Government-funded Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, which has improved transportation facilities in the country.

CPPCC National Committee Vice Chairman and Minister of Science and Technology in China Wan Gang, Presidentof Maldives Abdulla Yaameen, Prime Minister of Laos ThongsingThammavong, Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament ShirinSharminChaudhury , Vice Prime Minister of Vietnam Hoang TrungHai, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and other foreign leaders attended the inauguration.

Some 440 foreign guests including 36 ministerial-level senior officials, 42 foreign governors and mayors, 28 foreign ambassadors and Consul Generals in China and heads of international organisations presented at the Expo.

Sri Lankan participants at the trade fair expressed their confidence to reach more Chinese investors in a greater way through the five-day long international fair attended by many South Asian and Southeast Asian nations.