China’s new ambassador sounds jubilant on strengthening cooperative partnership

New Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, upon his arrival yesterday evening said that he intended to promote the strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations and build on the Belt and Road Initiative and other projects to ensure peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.

Zhenhong arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday evening.

“The minute I landed on the land of Sri Lanka, “the Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, its beauty, hospitality and kindness have made me feel very touched and heart-warmed. Entrusted by the government and the people of China, I assume my office as the new Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka with deep honour in my heart and great responsibility on my shoulder,” he said issuing a statement.

Zhenhong said that the friendly relations between China and Sri Lanka could be traced back thousands of years, and that the “two countries are strategic cooperative partners based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship.

“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, especially after President Xi Jinping’s visit to Sri Lanka in 2014, we have seen much achievement in bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas, and maintained close communication and coordination on international and regional affairs. More recently, the time-tested friendship and trust between our two countries have grown even stronger through the joint fight against COVID-19, which set a great example of foreign relations with sincere friendship and mutual support between different countries,” he said.

The new Ambassador added that he looked forward to working with all colleagues and friends both from China and Sri Lanka.

“Let’s join hands to implement the consensus reached by leaders of our two countries, promote our strategic cooperative partnership, build the Belt and Road Initiative and other cooperation with extensive consultation and joint contribution, so as to bring tangible benefits to our two people and better ensure peace, stability, development and prosperity in this region,” he said.