China studying aid project to provide Sri Lanka with electric buses: Ambassador

Colombo, November 21 (Daily Mirror) - China is studying an aid project to provide Sri Lanka with a fleet of electric buses, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, said yesterday. He noted that this marks a new phase of cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking at the 2025 China Aid Training Alumni Reception in Colombo, he said the project is being reviewed at Sri Lanka’s request and is part of a wider range of growing development programmes between the two nations. He said China–Sri Lanka relations are now “at a new starting point”, strengthened by recent high-level visits and renewed progress in joint projects.

He said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to China earlier this year, followed by meetings with President Xi Jinping, had given clear direction for future cooperation. He added that Prime Minister Amarasuriya’s visit to China in October further strengthened ties and increased exchanges between the two countries.

The Ambassador said the full resumption of work on the Central Expressway and the near-finalisation of the Sinopec project showed steady progress in Chinese-supported developments in Sri Lanka. “The results of our cooperation are becoming more visible, and even greater progress can be expected,” he said.

Speaking to Sri Lankan professionals who took part in China-funded training programmes, he highlighted the strong human resource cooperation between the two countries. By 2025, almost 1,000 Sri Lankans had joined more than 100 short-term training programmes in China, covering 17 key areas including public administration, agriculture, education, health, the environment and disaster management.

He said this year’s trainees were able to observe China’s rapid progress through lectures, field visits and meetings with high-tech companies and government agencies across several provinces. He noted that China’s push in science and technology — including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, hydrogen energy, nuclear fusion and biopharmaceuticals — is shaping global development.

The Ambassador also spoke about China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, approved last month. He described it as a roadmap that will guide China’s development over the next five years and provide new opportunities for developing countries. He said China’s growing market, rising outbound tourism and expanding investment will continue to benefit global partners, including Sri Lanka.

Commenting on global economic tensions, he said China had remained firm during the recent tariff pressures from the United States, with the Busan meeting between the two leaders leading to a one-year truce. He stressed that mutual respect and win-win cooperation are essential for stability between the two major economies.

He said China believes that developing nations, especially in the Global South, must stay united to protect their interests during global political and economic changes.

In conclusion, the Ambassador said China’s development will continue to create new opportunities for Sri Lanka. “The deeper Sri Lanka’s cooperation with China, the stronger its development and resilience against external challenges,” he said. He also urged trainees and officials to continue strengthening ties between the two countries.

He wished all participants well and expressed confidence that China–Sri Lanka cooperation will continue to expand, based on shared goals and long-term partnership.