Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan said Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to openly support and join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in the opening speech of an international seminar marking the fifth anniversary of the BRI. He went on to note that pragmatic cooperation between the two countries has greatly benefitted both sides and contributed to Sri Lanka’s development in many ways.

The Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) Power Station, Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, Colombo International Container Terminal, Moragahakanda Dam project, CIFC (a.k.a. Port City), and Hambantota Port and industrial park were cited as tangible benefits resulting from Sri Lanka-China cooperation.

Nearly 130 countries, regions and organisations have signed over 150 agreements under the BRI framework with China, whose direct investment to these countries exceeds US$ 70 billion, creating 244,000 jobs for the local people with Xueyuan stating that “strengthening the BRI cooperation will bring better prospects to the world.”