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Chinese envoy visits the Eastern Province

30 May 2022

China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong and Madame Jin Qian recently concluded their 3-days visit to the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The duo was received on the 24th of May in Trincomalee by Governor Anuradha Yahampath and local children. On the first day of the visit, Ambassador Qi and Governor Yahampath co-chaired a business forum with Chinese Business Chamber representatives. An in-depth presentation on the Eastern Province Prospectus was made. China encouraged more investment to Sri Lanka including in the Province to overcome current difficulties.  Ambassador Qi highlighted a 5-dimension assistance from China to Sri Lanka against the economic crisis: continued grant/aid via various channels, fasttrack ongoing projects and more FDI/Trade, bilateral debt settlement, support to Sri Lanka in its talks with IMF & ISB, and tourism sectors post COVID. After the meeting, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong visited the Trincomalee Harbour and China Bay. The Sri Lankan Port Authority and the Eastern Province invited Chinese investment to the port-related and tourism industries. To support low-income families in overcoming difficulties, Ambassador Qi handed over food packs (Rs. 5200 each) that were donated by the people of Yunnan Province of China to those in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara Districts. In total, 10,400 underprivileged families in the Province have received the support from Yunnan people. Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Madam Jin Qian also donated a batch of sports equipment supporting local youth in Kalmunai. On May 26th Ambassador Qi visited the Kayakerni archaeological site and highlighted that Sri Lanka’s eastern coast has always been an important global trade hub on the Maritime Silk Road. During his visit, Ambassador Qi paid visits to Kuchchaveli Pichchamal Viharaya, Salli Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil, Al Huloor Jumma Masjid, and St. Mary's Cathedral Batticaloa, to extend respect to the diversified and colourful communities in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.  When visiting the Kuchchaveli Pichchamal Viharaya, Ambassador Qi also inspected a water purification plant donated by the Chinese Embassy. The plant has been serving drinking water to over 1,000 villagers from all 3 communities living in the remote area of Kuchchaveli off Trinco.  At a round-table meeting on May 25th, Ambassador Qi had an open and in-depth dialogue with the Batticaloa District Civil Society and local media representatives, at Pasikudah, on Batticaloa's economic and social development, and China's future investment in the district.  On May 26th Ambassador Qi Zhenhong visited the Eastern University of Sri Lanka, opened the International Affairs Division, and had a broad dialogue with deans of the faculties. Agriculture technology, Chinese language centres, students’ exchanges and China-Sri Lanka relations were discussed.  Ambassador Qi extended his sincere appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, faculties and students of the EUSL for the warmest welcome and wonderful presentation on the University as well as a series of proposals on future collaboration with the Chinese Embassy and academies.


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