China in 3-day talks with Sri Lanka on economic cooperation
Chinese officials began three days of talks on economic cooperation with Sri Lanka on Saturday, as Beijing strengthens relations with the Indian Ocean island that is a focal point for its regional rivalry with India.
“This visit will give an added impetus to opportunities accruing to Sri Lanka in the context of promoting the country as a regional ‘commercial hub’,” Sri Lanka’s external affairs ministry said in a statement.
China has increased its investments in Sri Lanka, funding airports, roads, railways and ports, something that has unsettled India, traditionally the closest economic partner of the island of 21 million people.
The Chinese delegation visit comes after Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, on a trip to China this month, said a feasibility study on a free trade pact “is on the verge of completion” and the deal could be sealed by the end of the year.
Sri Lanka won China’s diplomatic support in a human right row this month when Beijing voiced support for Colombo after the United States said it would table a U.N. resolution over human rights on the island.
Among the issues to be discussed in the February 22-25 talks is a bilateral maritime cooperation deal, dubbed a ‘21st century Maritime Silk Road’ that would cover issues such as fisheries, technology and environmental protection. (Reuters)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka declares essential services to ensure recovery after Cyclone Ditwah January 31, 2026
- Sri Lanka disburses Rs. 50,000 relief to 70% of Cyclone Ditwah victims January 31, 2026
- Sri Lanka to launch national review on social media’s impact on children January 30, 2026
- Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia move to boost industrial cooperation January 30, 2026
- Johnston Fernando, two sons and others further remanded until February 13, 2026 January 30, 2026
We need China to set-up pharmaceutical companies to produce our own medications, saline drips etc and also surgical instruments.
Even more important is for China to help us produce our own conventional weapons, rocket launchers etc. I hope China will strengthen us militarily with a strong air force and navy with new fighter planes, bombers and ships to counter threat of India. We also need modern Radfar system and dump the outdated model sold to us by India. In return let us lease to China the Trinco harbour as a base. That should unnerve India and USA. This is SL response to USA, Britain and India for bringing false allegations against SL at Geneva of war crimes etc and threatening us with sanctions.
The US, Europe, China, Russia and India and Saudi Arabia are the closes friends on earth. The smaller “beggar” nations can do whatever they wish, jump up and down and pump their muscles; the “Friends” will not let each other’s interest be jeopardised.
The world has had many paper tigers, Gadafi, Ahamadinejad, Castro, Hussein etc but where did they get to?
If the US destroyed them, why didn’t freethinking Russia, China and India stand aside and watch the destruction?
Why doesn’t Putin walk into Afghanistan? Why did Saudi Arabia turn a blind eye to the “atrocities” of the US and its allies?
Dear Sisters and Brothers, if you can’t beat them, join them. Life is short; cherish every minute of it and be mindful of the society that surrounds you.