Recent diplomatic discussions between the two countries saw a temporary halt in Chinese research vessels visiting Sri Lanka for research purposes, following objections from India citing security concerns.

During his ongoing visit to China, the speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has highlighted efforts to strengthen cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

According to a statement from Parliament, discussions centered on enhancing collaboration within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly focusing on advancing key projects like the Colombo Port City and the Hambanthota Port.

Sri Lanka plays a crucial role in China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, which, according to China, is aimed at global infrastructure development through connectivity corridors and maritime routes.

Abeywardana’s visit included participation in the eighth China-South Asia Exposition in Kunming, Yunnan Province, where he underscored the event’s role in promoting economic and trade exchanges since its inception in 2013. He noted that the exposition has significantly strengthened ties between China and Sri Lanka, notably benefiting Sri Lanka.

During the visit, Abeywardana addressed the fifth China-South Asia Cooperation Forum on the theme “Build Consensus for Regional Development.” He emphasized the importance of collective solutions to global development challenges and stressed the need for mutual cooperation to address these issues effectively.

In addition to these engagements, Abeywardana and his delegation met with key Chinese officials, including Secretary of the CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Yunnan People’s Congress Wang Ning, and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the fourteenth National People’s Congress Ding Zhongli.

The relationship between Sri Lanka and China spans sixty-seven years of diplomatic ties, encompassing various sectors such as trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and significant infrastructure development projects.

There was a hiccup in diplomatic relations between both countries after Sri Lanka banned Chinese research vessels calling at the island nation for research purposes for one year, after strong protest by India, which had cited security threats.