Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan said Colombo Port City, the Hambantota Port and Industrial Park are expected to become the new powerful engines for Sri Lankan economy to take-off.

"The gradual completion of the Puttalam Power Station, the Moragahakanda —Kalu Ganga Project, the Airport Expressway, the Southern Expressway, the Central Expressway and the Southern Railway has fundamentally changed the development landscape of Sri Lanka," he also said, addressing an event to mark the 62nd anniversary of the  establishment of Sri Lanka - China relations. 

The Chinese Ambassador also said, "China has been actively involved in supporting Sri Lanka in various fields, firmly supported Sri Lanka to safeguard national interests and dignity and pursue the development and prosperity. Especially, after finally bringing an end to the 26-year civil conflict in 2009 ,Sri Lanka found itself severely suffering from war trauma and was almost torn to pieces. When standing and trembling on the war ruins, Sri Lanka called for urgent support from the international community to rebuild this beautiful country, but surprisingly found that most countries chose to remain silent and watch the situation go on with folded arms. At this critical moment, it was China once again that stepped forward with open arms to Sri Lanka and participated comprehensively and deeply in the post-war reconstruction of the country.

Sri Lanka always supports China firmly as well. Sri Lanka is the first country in South Asia to sign a trade agreement with China, it supported the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations. Successive governments of Sri Lanka stick to the One-China Principle, and support China to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity, support China’s position on South China Sea issue. Sri Lanka is also one of the first countries to publicly support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Facing the unprecedented changes in the world, some countries are still hesitating at the crossroads of cooperation or confrontation, openness or closure, win-win cooperation or zero-sum game, China and Sri Lanka are moving forward with each other, upholding the international order of openness and inclusiveness, mutual benefit and win-win results firmly. We grasp the overall picture of China-Sri Lanka friendship, maintain our "strategic focus" and suppress interference, to promote synergy between the "Belt and Road" initiative and the development strategy for Sri Lanka with bilateral mutual political trust strengthened, pragmatic cooperation deepened and cultural exchanges enhanced. In a globalised world, we all have a stake in each other’s future, just like passengers riding in the same boat. A community with a shared future between China and Sri Lanka is taking shape.

China-Sri Lanka cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has not only brought tangible benefits to the two countries and two peoples, but also brought new opportunities to regional development. The under-construction Colombo Port City, the Hambantota Port and Industrial Park are expected to become the new powerful engines for Sri Lankan economy to take-off. The gradual completion of the Puttalam Power Station, the Moragahakanda —Kalu Ganga Project, the Airport Expressway, the Southern Expressway, the Central Expressway and the Southern Railway has fundamentally changed the development landscape of the Sri Lanka. China’s aid, training, technology and management as well as the job opportunities created by these projects are deeply changing the future and destiny of ordinary people in Sri Lanka. I believe that Sri Lanka will regain its glorious status as the crossroads of the Indian Ocean in the near future and Sri Lanka people will live a happier life. With such deep integration and win-win development, the relations between our two countries definitely make steady progress and enjoy a brighter future.

On the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, also coincides with the 71th anniversary of the independence of Sri Lanka and Chinese lunar New Year, I would like to stress again: China welcomes the Sri Lanka and other countries on board the express train of its development. Under the guidance of the important consensus reached by our two leaders, we will adhere to the golden rule of “extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits”, maintain our "strategic focus", suppress interference, focus on the friendly and pragmatic cooperation under the framework of “Belt and Road”, promote the construction both in substance and depth, and bring more tangible benefits to our two countries and two peoples."