-By A Staff Writer
(Lanka-e-News -03.March.2025, 8.45 PM) Pan Yue, Minister of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission (NEAC) of China, undertook an official visit to Sri Lanka from February 19 to 23, marking a significant step in fostering ethnic solidarity and national unity between the two countries. The visit focused on exchanging ethnic policies and practices, understanding religious and cultural developments in Sri Lanka, and discussing avenues for practical cooperation.
Minister Pan Yue's visit underscored China’s commitment to deepening collaboration with Sri Lanka on national integration and ethnic relations. During his stay, he engaged in high-level discussions with key Sri Lankan officials, including the Minister and Deputy Minister of Justice and National Integration. These meetings aimed to enhance policy coordination and share experiences on maintaining ethnic harmony in multicultural societies.
Both sides emphasized the importance of promoting interethnic cooperation and addressing challenges related to national unity. Minister Pan Yue highlighted China’s success in fostering ethnic solidarity through inclusive policies and development programs. In turn, Sri Lankan officials shared insights into their efforts to strengthen national integration following decades of ethnic conflict.
A significant aspect of Minister Pan Yue’s visit was his engagement with Sri Lanka’s diverse religious communities. He held discussions with the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs and met with the Governor of the Central Province to gain insights into Sri Lanka’s religious harmony and cultural preservation efforts.
His visits to the revered Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy underscored China’s respect for Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage. During these visits, Minister Pan Yue met with senior Buddhist abbots and discussed the role of Buddhism in fostering peace and unity. The discussions also touched on cultural exchanges and cooperation between Buddhist institutions in China and Sri Lanka.
Beyond the Buddhist community, Minister Pan Yue also paid visits to Muslim, Christian, and Hindu communities, reinforcing China’s commitment to supporting interfaith dialogue and religious coexistence. He engaged in meaningful discussions with religious leaders about the role of faith in strengthening social harmony and national cohesion.
Recognizing education as a key pillar in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, Minister Pan Yue visited the University of Peradeniya, one of Sri Lanka’s premier higher education institutions. He held discussions with university authorities on academic collaboration, student exchanges, and joint research initiatives in ethnic studies and cultural preservation.
The dialogue explored opportunities for Chinese universities to partner with Sri Lankan institutions in advancing studies on ethnic integration, religious harmony, and multiculturalism. Both sides expressed interest in expanding educational ties to promote deeper people-to-people connections and enhance cross-cultural understanding.
Minister Pan Yue’s visit paved the way for strengthened bilateral cooperation in the areas of ethnic affairs, religious engagement, and education. Both China and Sri Lanka reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, stability, and inclusive development through policy exchange and collaborative initiatives.
The visit concluded with discussions on potential projects aimed at fostering ethnic solidarity, such as capacity-building programs, cultural exchange initiatives, and joint academic research. As Sri Lanka continues to navigate post-conflict reconciliation efforts, China’s support in promoting national integration and interethnic harmony is expected to play a valuable role.
Minister Pan Yue’s visit not only reinforced the deep historical and cultural ties between China and Sri Lanka but also laid the foundation for long-term collaboration in promoting national unity and social harmony. The outcomes of this visit are expected to contribute positively to both nations’ efforts in managing ethnic diversity and strengthening community relations.
-By A Staff Writer
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by (2025-03-03 15:24:45)
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