-By LeN Diplomatic Editor
(Lanka-e-News - 26.Sep.2025, 11.00 PM) The Chinese Embassy in Colombo turned the Cinnamon Life Hotel into a stage of pageantry, diplomacy, and political theatre last night, as Beijing marked the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The event was not merely a reception; it was a careful orchestration of China’s growing footprint in Sri Lanka, showcasing its global ambitions, technological prowess, and a centuries-old friendship repurposed for the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific.
The reception was attended by an eclectic cast of Sri Lanka’s political elite: former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, alongside opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, senior leftist firebrand Tilvin Silva, and sitting ministers who flitted across the crimson-lit ballroom with a mix of protocol and curiosity.
Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, representing the government, sat alongside diplomats from Russia, India, Pakistan, the United States, and the European Union. That rare mix highlighted how Colombo has once again become a miniature theatre of global competition, where every handshake is noted and every absence questioned.
China’s Ambassador in Colombo, with a polished script and a steady delivery, reminded the room that this was more than an anniversary—it was a narrative of China’s rise as a global power and its friendship with Sri Lanka as a constant thread in that story.
The Cinnamon Life’s grand ballroom was transformed into an ode to Chinese symbolism. Red lanterns hung from the chandeliers, the Great Wall projected onto LED screens, and waiters in traditional cheongsam served jasmine tea alongside Ceylon cocktails.
A giant banner read in bold calligraphy: “Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.”
As the guests gathered, the unspoken context was clear. Beijing’s influence in Sri Lanka is no longer confined to development projects—it has seeped into cultural diplomacy, elite networking, and the delicate balancing act of Colombo’s foreign policy.
When the Chinese Ambassador finally stepped up to the lectern, the room fell into an expectant hush. His address—delivered in a mix of English, Mandarin, and brief Sinhala and Tamil greetings—was both celebratory and strategic.
It was, in essence, a manifesto of China’s global role, wrapped in the velvet of friendship.
Below is the full speech delivered by the Ambassador, as transcribed from the official release:
Full Speech of the Chinese Ambassador at the Reception Celebrating the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China
Cinnamon Life Hotel,
Hon. Mr. Anil Jayantha Fernando,
Your Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa,
Your Excellency Mr. Maithripala Sirisena,
Your Excellency Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa,
Hon. Mr. Jagath Wickramaratne,
Hon. Mr. Sajith Premadasa,
Hon. Mr. Tilvin Silva,
Distinguished Ministers, Members of Parliament and Members of the diplomatic corps,
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
Thank you all for joining us to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, I would like to extend warm welcome to all the distinguished guests, express heartfelt gratitude to friends from all sectors who have long been caring for and supporting China and China-Sri Lanka relations, and convey festive greetings to our compatriots both in China and Sri Lanka.
Over the past fruitful 76 years, China has witnessed tremendous changes and profound transformation that reshaped the whole country. The Communist Party of China (CPC) has led Chinese people with unity and self-reliance, composing a paean of struggle that rewrites the nation’s future and destiny. From an isolated and backward country that lacked adequate food and clothing, to an open and progressing one that enjoys moderate prosperity in all respects, from being impoverished and weak to being able to chart a new blueprint of Chinese modernization. Now, the Chinese people are forging ahead with full confidence on a new journey to build a strong country and advance national rejuvenation.
A rising China showcases the grandeur of a major nation from the East of the World. Today’s China is soaring like a giant legendary bird on the rising winds and flourishing across all sectors. Particularly digital economy and artificial intelligence are thriving, injecting robust momentum into high-quality development. Nowadays, the Shenzhou spacecrafts are reaching for the heavens, the Chang’e probes are embracing the moon, the Mengxiang drilling vessel is exploring the deep ocean, and high-speed rail technology is leading the world. The prowess of such major national projects underscores China’s confidence, and the melody of scientific and technological innovation grows more inspiring.
A developing China provides the world with a continuous stream of impetus and fresh opportunities. As a crucial engine for global economic growth, China’s GDP grew by 5.3 percent in the first half of this year. And its contribution to global economic growth has exceeded 30 percent for many consecutive years. Despite the increasing instability and uncertainty in the world economy featured by unilateralism, bullying practices, trade war and tariff war, China’s economy remains highly resilient and vibrant and its growth continues to maintain a strong momentum. Facts prove once again that the Chinese economy enjoys a bright prospect and remains a vital pillar for global economic growth, continuing to inject precious certainty to global development. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become the most popular international public good and the largest platform for international cooperation in the world today. We have signed cooperation documents with more than 180 countries and international organizations to jointly pursue prosperity and development.
A China committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening-up will continue to add momentum to global economic recovery, pool strength for worldwide development cooperation, and create opportunities for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
A China of certainty brings invaluable stability and positive energy to the world. Facing a world of transformation, China always stands on the right side of history. We hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, stay firmly on the right path of peaceful development, uphold true multilateralism, pursue the neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, put forth the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and facilitate their implementation. China actively strives to resolve international disputes through dialogue and cooperation. There is no doubt that every increase of China’s strength is an increase of the prospect of world peace.
Earlier in this September, China’s Tianjin witnessed a “Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) moment” that drew the attention of the whole world. President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative, aiming to build a more just and equitable global governance system. To date, in pursuit of a better world, China has proposed four major global initiatives, namely the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As a Chinese saying goes, “Those with shared aspirations will not be separated by mountains and seas.” The friendship between China and Sri Lanka has spanned over two thousand years while withstanding the test of time and challenges of adversity, and still remains deeply rooted and flourishing. At the start of this year, President Dissanayake paid a successful visit to China. Our two leaders reached important outcomes, which provided new strategic guidance for the growth of our bilateral relations.
This 76-year-long journey through wind and rain has etched the firm footsteps of an ancient nation to realize its dream of rejuvenation. The Chinese nation, with a glorious civilization spanning over 5000 years, has risen through arduous efforts, advanced through reform and opening-up, and forged ahead in the tides of the times. It will undoubtedly achieve new greater glories on the new journey in the new era and make new greater contributions to the noble cause of human peace and development.
In closing, I would like to propose a toast:
To the prosperity of our great motherland,
To the everlasting friendship between the Chinese and Sri Lankan people,
To the enduring peace and tranquility of the world,
And to the health and happiness of all our distinguished guests and your families.
Cheers!
-By LeN Diplomatic Editor
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by (2025-09-26 17:33:15)
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