Building Bridges: China’s ongoing commitment to combat Kidney Disease in Sri Lanka

• The project proposals related to the prevention and  treatment of chronic kidney disease put forward by Sri Lanka have  received positive responses and strong support from the Chinese  government

By Kelum Bandara   

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said that his country will  continue to provide firm support to the China-Sri Lanka Joint Water  Technology Research and Demonstration Centre.  

Making his remarks at the signing ceremony of the  tri-partite agreement among Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of  Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development of Sri Lanka and the  University of Peradeniya recently, the Ambassador said a lot of people  in Sri Lanka are suffering from the chronic kidney disease of unknown  origin (CKDu), and the Chinese government and people feel for them.  

The project proposals related to the prevention and  treatment of chronic kidney disease put forward by Sri Lanka have  received positive responses and strong support from the Chinese  government.   

“So far, China has assisted in the construction of three  projects to prevent, treat, and trace the cause of chronic kidney  disease of unknown origin in Sri Lanka, including water supply pipeline  network project, kidney disease hospital, and the China-Sri Lanka Joint  Water Technology Research and Demonstration Centre (JRDC). And the total  investment of these projects is more than 2 billion RMB. The Kandy  North –Pathadumbara Integrated Water Supply Project ensures drinking  water safety for nearly 500,000 people. In Polonnaruwa, we have  established the largest kidney disease hospital in South Asia, providing  the most advanced kidney disease diagnosis and treatment facilities,”  he said.   

Prof. Wei Yuansong of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said, “In  August 2013, it was the first time for us to know the burning issue of  Sri Lanka--Chronic kidney disease with unknown etiology (CKDu), and  since then we have begun the road to cooperation between China and Sri  Lanka. Based on our cooperation with the Ministry of Water Supply and  the University of Peradeniya, the China-Sri Lanka JRDC focuses on  research on causes studies of CKDu, improvement of drinking water and  water environment, and joint research and talent cultivation. The  cooperation of the JRDC has been included in the joint statement of the  China and Sri Lanka governments twice in 2016 and 2023, respectively.  The China-Sri Lanka JRDC is growing up under China’s “One Belt, One Road”  initiative and has achieved a breakthrough from 0 to 1. Today the  signing of the tripartite agreement is the best commemoration of the  10th anniversary of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, and marks the  new stage of the JRDC. In the future, we will continue to actively  promote China-Sri Lanka water science and technology cooperation with  support from two countries to make the JRDC a leading centre and benefit  more people in two countries,” he said.