Chinese Ambassador visits China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre of Pathfinder Foundation

Ambassador Cheng was accompanied by Luo Chong, Spokesperson and Chief of Political Section of the Embassy and Attaché, Shang Chenglin and Pathfinder Foundation team – PF Founder Milinda Moragoda, Chairman Bernard Goonetilleke, Senior Fellow Lalith Weeratunga, China Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre Executive Director and Director Luxman Siriwardena, MMBL group of companies Chief Executive Officer K. Balasundaram, China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre Associate Director Dr. Zhou Ying, Program Manager Ameera Arooz, Asst. Program Manager, and Project Executive Sarah Hettiarchchi 

Ambassador Cheng and Moragoda discussed further improving economic, political and cultural relations between 2019 and beyond

Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan paid a visit to the China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre (CSLCSC) of Pathfinder Foundation (PF) located at ‘River point’ at Peliyagoda on Wednesday (23). His visit was a follow-up to the inauguration of the new office complex of CSLCSC last month by Long Guoqiang, Chinese Vice President, Development Research Centre of the State Council of China.

Pathfinder Foundation Founder Milinda Moragoda welcomes Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan

The visit to the Centre was undertaken on the first anniversary of Ambassador Cheng’s presenting credentials to the President of Sri Lanka. Pathfinder Foundation Founder Milinda Moragoda while appreciating the positive role played by the Ambassador since assuming responsibilities as Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka, provided an account of the work done by the Foundation, highlighted the activities undertaken by the CSLCSC to develop China-Sri Lanka relations, as well as activities of the Centre for Indo-Lanka Initiatives and the Centre for Law of the Sea of the Foundation. 

Ambassador Cheng and Moragoda discussed ways and means of strengthening China-Sri Lanka relations aimed at further improving economic, political and cultural relations between the two countries during the course of 2019 and beyond. 

While appreciating the studies undertaken by PF in collaboration with Chinese academic institutions and think-tanks, Ambassador Cheng highlighted the need to keep updating knowledge through continuous research and academic interaction bearing in mind the fast changing situation in China and the world. 

Ambassador Cheng and Moragoda agreed on focusing on new areas and sectors, which are critically important to the future development of Sri Lanka’s economy and its people. In this regard, the need for learning from the development experience of China, particularly during its 40 years of economic reforms and opening up, was mutually agreed upon.

Ambassador Cheng was accompanied by Luo Chong, Spokesperson and Chief of Political Section of the Embassy and Attaché, Shang Chenglin. Dr. Zhao Yin, a Chinese academic, who is functioning as Associate Director of the CSLCSC, provided to the visiting Ambassador and his team an account of the activities of the Centre during the course of 2018.