Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya who is on a visit to China held wide-ranging discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping today, 14th October 2025 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The discussion focused on further deepening Sri Lanka’s engagement with China, further consolidating the longstanding friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya is visiting China on an invitation extended by President Xi Jinping to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women.

The discussions in Beijing progressed on the outcomes of  the State Visit of the President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, to China earlier this year. 

Referring to the centuries old friendship between the two nations, the Prime Minister commented that President Xi’s vision on China’s modernization is not only for China but also for other nations emphasizing the importance of building up a shared future for mankind.

China as one of Sri Lanka’s important development partners, Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya stressed the continued assistance of the Chinese Government in the high quality Belt and Road Initiative highlighting the steadfast progress  achieved in the flagship projects in Sri Lanka. 

President Xi conveyed his sincere wishes to the President and the Government of Sri Lanka on the recent achievements in economic revival and assured continued support to Sri Lanka in the sectors of trade, tourism, education and people to people cooperation emphasizing the importance of carrying forward the momentum of the cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya reiterated Sri Lanka’s support for the Global Governance Initiative of President Xi which plays a pivotal role in the contemporary Global Governance.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended a ceremonial event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 14 October, during her official visit to China.

The Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by senior leaders of the Government of the People’s Republic of China and took part in a wreath-laying ceremony held in honour of the People’s Heroes.

As part of the proceedings, the national anthems of both Sri Lanka and China were played, symbolising the respect and friendship between the two nations.

This ceremony marked an important moment of recognition for China’s historic legacy and reflected Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and mutual respect.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited Tiananmen Square in Beijing on 14 October, where she paid tribute at two of China’s most significant national monuments, the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

The Prime Minister laid wreaths, honouring the memory of the late Chairman Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China.

The visit formed part of the Prime Minister’s official engagements in Beijing, reflecting Sri Lanka’s respect for China’s historic legacy and the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with H.E. Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), in Beijing on 13 October.

The Prime Minister extended her appreciation for the invitation to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to her delegation. She also conveyed greetings on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, commending China’s remarkable progress and social stability achieved over the past decades under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

Discussions focused on further strengthening the longstanding Sri Lanka–China friendship and advancing bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors, including trade, investment, tourism, culture, education, and people-to-people engagement.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya recalled the historic Rice–Rubber Pact of 1952 as a cornerstone of South–South cooperation and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to continue building on this legacy through mutual trust and shared development. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the outcomes of the State Visit and the Joint Statement issued by the two countries’ leaders, aimed at deepening the Sri Lanka–China strategic cooperative partnership based on shared values and mutual respect.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed the Government of Sri Lanka’s appreciation to China for the invitation to participate in the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025 and for the warm hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation. She extended good wishes on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and noted that her first visit to China as Prime Minister provides an opportunity to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between the two countries, including in trade, investment, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Prime Minister acknowledged China’s role as a key driver of the global economy and innovation, and as a partner in poverty reduction, infrastructure development, human-capital development, and international cooperation. She outlined Sri Lanka’s vision “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” and briefed the Premier on national priorities to eradicate poverty, foster sustainability, advance digital transformation, and promote ethical governance, including the Clean Sri Lanka programme launched in January 2025.

On economic cooperation, the Prime Minister briefed the Premier on Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic stabilisation and growth trajectory, including recent progress in debt restructuring with the members of the Official Creditor Committee, and expressed appreciation for China’s constructive support. She welcomed continued cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting China’s role as a major development partner and noting ongoing and proposed projects that contribute to national and regional connectivity and socio-economic development.

The Prime Minister outlined opportunities for enhanced trade and investment, including Sri Lanka’s proposal to establish a Packaging Hub in Hambantota under investment or public-private partnership modalities; potential cooperation to strengthen industrial development and follow-up to the May 2025 MoU on Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation. She also discussed measures to facilitate inputs for domestic production, including fertilizer supplies, and explored avenues to support Sri Lanka’s precious stones and jewellery sector in the Chinese market.

Further areas of collaboration in the education sector were discussed, including smart classrooms, scholarships, specialised master’s programmes for public officials, and donations of school-uniform material. Cooperation in agriculture, tourism, defence, and health was also covered.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and gender equality, expressing continued support for the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and highlighting national efforts to promote women’s leadership, empowerment, equal opportunity, and protection from violence.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

No country has yet fully achieved gender equality — the road ahead demands our continued commitment.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls, and to translating principles into practical action for equality and dignity.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Opening Ceremony of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025, held at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing on 13 October, upon the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. On her arrival at the CNCC, the Prime Minister was welcomed by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Madam Peng Liyuan. Following President Xi’s welcome address, Heads of State and Government delivered their remarks, including the address by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Addressing the forum the Prime Minister stated;

“Nearly thirty years after the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing and the Beijing Platform for Action, we still draw on that comprehensive framework for gender equality. We have made real progress: female literacy has risen, maternal mortality has nearly halved, and global life expectancy has increased from 69 years in 1995 to 76 years in 2023. Yet serious gaps remain: women’s labour-force participation stands at just 48.7% compared with 73% for men; women account for only about 35% of graduates in science and technology; 47.8 million more women than men face moderate or severe food insecurity; and movement toward political parity is far too slow. All-round development of women is, therefore, a holistic process across education, health, the economy, politics, society, and culture and it demands our continued commitment.”

The Prime Minister further emphasised Sri Lanka’s national commitments, including increasing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making to ensure meaningful representation at every level, and implementing the National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023–2027), in line with CEDAW and UNSCR 1325. She affirmed Sri Lanka’s resolve to ensure that women from diverse social backgrounds, including those from working-class and marginalised communities, are represented across all sectors.

After the Opening Ceremony, the Prime Minister attended the official banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping and First Lady Madam Peng Liyuan at the CNCC.

Prime Minister’s Media Division