New Chinese ambassador arrives in Sri Lanka, pledges stronger ties

China’s newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Sri Lanka, Wei Huaxiang, arrived in the country on Tuesday to assume his post, pledging to further strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation.

In a statement issued upon his arrival, Wei said China regarded Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and was ready to deepen cooperation in support of the country’s economic development and people’s livelihoods.

He said China-Sri Lanka cooperation had expanded across a range of sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Wei also referred to meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya during their visits to China in 2025, saying the engagements had provided new strategic direction for bilateral relations.

The ambassador said he would work to strengthen traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and protect the legitimate interests of Chinese institutions and citizens in Sri Lanka.

China and Sri Lanka will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact in 2027, Wei said.