The Pathfinder Foundation had the honour of hosting Qi Zhenghong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, who was accompanied by the Chief of Political Section, Mr Qin Ligong and Third Secretary Mr. Jin Enze, from the Embassy of China, for a luncheon meeting at its ‘River Point’ premises in Peliyagoda. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Founder of Pathfinder Foundation, Mr. Milinda Moragoda, CEO of MMBL Pathfinder, Mr. K. Balasundaram, Chairman of Pathfinder Foundation, Mr. Bernard Goonetilleke, Directors and staff of the Foundation.   

The Ambassador also visited the China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre (CSLCSC), located within the Pathfinder Foundation premises, established in 2015 as the first private research institution dedicated solely to studying Sino-Lanka relations. He noted that the Centre had collaborated and formed partnerships with a network of Chinese academic institutions and think tanks, which contributed to facilitating business partnerships and people-to-people relations between the two countries. He also noted that the Pathfinder Foundation’s interaction with China dates back to 2012, even before the establishment of the CSLCSC.   

Ambassador Qi expressed interest in being briefed on the historical relations between the two countries in the pre-independence era to understand the long-standing relationship between the two countries and the way forward for the newly elected government in Sri Lanka. In understanding the success of China’s political system, its grassroots-level democracy was highlighted. The importance of connectivity between China, Sri Lanka and the rest of the world and China’s economic progress with high productivity in agriculture, particularly in paddy cultivation, using the latest technology, was extensively discussed.   

The visit was also aimed at strengthening relations between the Foundation and China through the good offices of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and exploring opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including increased virtual and physical interaction between Sri Lankan experts and scholars and Chinese counterparts through joint studies, forums and exchange programmes. The visit highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to fostering partnerships with meaningful engagement with China.