Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Beijing to celebrate Sino-SL diplomatic and economic relations

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing has made arrangements to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China, as well as the 65th anniversary of economic relations between Sri Lanka and China on 31 October in Beijing.

Sri Lanka and China are two Asian countries that have been friends over several centuries. The evidence of this historical friendship is witnessed in the cultural and trade relations that exist between the two countries, as well as the modern relations that commenced when Sri Lanka regained independence in February 1948 and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in October 1949.

The solid foundation of contemporary relations between the two countries laid with the recognition of the PRC by Sri Lanka on 5 January 1950. Sri Lanka also simultaneously accepted the One China Policy within three months to become the first South Asian country to do so. 

Then in 1952, the historical Rubber-Rice Agreement which was in two tiers was signed between Sri Lanka and China. While the MOU was signed by the Commerce Ministers of both countries in front of the then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on 4 October 1952, the detailed agreement was signed on 17 December of the same year. This was the first trade agreement that was signed by China with a non-Communist country, and it has been renewed over 30 years, making it perhaps one of the longest effective trade agreements between any two countries. 

Many senior Chinese citizens who had been diplomats or senior public servants always express their deep appreciation of Sri Lanka’s decision to sign the Trade Agreement in 1952 that provided China with adequate rubber, which was a commodity that was unavailable to China at that critical time due to the UN embargo, being aware that the western powers were unhappy about Sri Lanka’s decision and that they did retaliate against Sri Lanka. Formal diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Chine were established in 1957.

From the inception, up to now, only the establishment of formal diplomatic relations has been celebrated but this year it has been decided to add the signing of the Rubber-Rice Agreement given the economic cooperation that continues to exist between the two countries, particularly with the launch of the Belt and Road Initiatives and Sri Lanka becoming a strategic location on the Maritime Silk Road.

The critical importance of Sri Lanka for the 21st century Maritime Silk Road was summed up by His Excellency President Xi Jinping when he responded to the Sri Lankan Prime Minister at the recent Belt and Road International Forum by saying that “Sri Lanka was known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean but from now onwards, it would become the Pearl of the Maritime Silk Road”.

Currently, China is the most important economic partner globally to both large and small economies, which include Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s trade, investment and tourism relations with China have now created an indispensable partnership for the country’s economic progress.

The main event of the celebration will be held on 31 October at China World hotel. Minister of Foreign Affairs Thilak Marapana will arrive Beijing to attend these celebrations on invitation extended by Wang Yi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. Both Ministers will meet for official talks on 30 October and meet the press upon the conclusion of bilateral talks.