China and Sri Lanka have accelerated their Belt and Road trade cooperation, signing new agreements and exploring deeper investment opportunities. On Thursday, officials convened in Colombo for the 8th China-Sri Lanka Joint Trade and Economic Commission meeting. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao co-chaired the session with Sri Lankan Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. Moreover, the countries signed memorandums on trade facilitation and industrial supply chain coordination. Both described the progress as essential to reinforcing Belt and Road trade cooperation.
Meanwhile, Wang emphasized the strategic importance of expanding bilateral economic ties under national leadership. Additionally, he pledged support for Sri Lankan exports and outlined plans to enhance green development and digital infrastructure. Furthermore, he reaffirmed China’s opposition to unilateralism and support for multilateral trade rules. Wang also described Belt and Road trade cooperation as a core priority for regional development. Consequently, China remains committed to deepening its economic role in South Asia.
At the same time, Sri Lanka welcomed Chinese companies to invest in sectors including agriculture, clean energy, and logistics. Samarasinghe praised the momentum behind their strategic alignment and called for closer cooperation on global trade platforms. Separately, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Wang and urged stronger engagement on BRI projects. Notably, he applauded China’s success in science, technology, and connectivity infrastructure. As a result, the President said Sri Lanka sees long-term growth in deeper trade integration.
In response, Wang committed to supporting major infrastructure initiatives and advancing industrial collaboration. Therefore, he said both nations must unlock the full potential of their strategic partnership. Additionally, livelihood projects and local business support remain high on the agenda. Government officials stressed that Belt and Road trade cooperation is not symbolic, but a platform for tangible change. As new corridors open, Beijing aims to solidify westward and southward trade routes.
Finally, Chinese entrepreneurs have responded enthusiastically to recent policy shifts. For example, Huang Fen, a vice president at Tongfa Group, visited Colombo to assess investment prospects. She praised Sri Lanka’s green visas, tax incentives, and simplified procedures. Accordingly, her company now plans to build a sugar processing facility for South Asia. She also expressed interest in importing local seafood and fruit for international markets. Indeed, Huang called Sri Lanka a promising partner with strong bilateral trust and lasting potential.
