Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya outlined a strategic vision for deepening cooperation with China during an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) this week, tracing seven decades of bilateral relations from the groundbreaking 1952 Rubber-Rice Pact to today's Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
Speaking with CMG host He Yanke, Amarasuriya emphasized Sri Lanka's unique position as an Indian Ocean trade hub and its commitment to leveraging modern agricultural resources and maritime advantages. "Our partnership has evolved from commodity exchanges to high-quality collaboration in ports, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism," she stated, referencing ongoing projects like the Colombo Port City development.
The prime minister identified marine conservation and digital connectivity as emerging priorities, noting: "As climate challenges intensify, joint research on coastal ecosystem protection benefits both nations." She also highlighted plans to expand cultural tourism circuits connecting Sri Lankan heritage sites with Belt and Road partner destinations.
With bilateral trade reaching $6.2 billion in 2025, Amarasuriya stressed the importance of maintaining what she called "the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact"—mutual respect for development needs—in navigating 21st-century economic diplomacy.
