Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have been two friendly nations with a glorious bilateral history of more than 2000 years. Throughout these historical periods of time both countries have also experienced and shared strong bilateral relations between each other. In the year 2007, successful completion of 50 years for the diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and China was celebrated with fully fledged diplomatic recognition.

As the People’s Republic of China emerged as the most gigantic force of economic development in the entire Asian region, Sri Lanka, as a state, kept a strong faith in the Chinese factor as there existed tremendous opportunities, knowledge and expertise that both countries could acquire and share in a friendly and a much hospitable as well as reliable manner. Currently, the hope has been kept at a high standard the more China insists that it does not mix business with politics in its foreign relations.

Historical relations in the field of economics and trade entered through the silk-route from ancient China many centuries ago. In 1952 the Sri Lanka - China Rubber Rice Pact marked a new chapter in economic and trade relations. The economic and political ties have been cemented since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1957. In 1981 the Sri Lanka China Society and in 1982 the Sri Lanka China Joint Committee for trade and economic cooperation were formed.

The ties between the two countries have increased to a greater extent which would further strengthen trade between the two countries.

Sri Lanka and the People's Republic of China accorded each other’s diplomatic recognition in January 1950. In April 1952 both countries entered into the historic Rubber-Rice Agreement, whereby Sri Lanka supplied rubber to China under a barter arrangement, receiving rice from China in return. It should not be forgotten that this agreement was entered into at a time when certain countries had imposed a ban on the supply of strategic materials, which included rubber to China .

Following the electoral victory of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) led by the late Premier S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in April 1956, the two countries established full diplomatic relations on February 7, 1957 and exchanged resident embassies in each other's capitals. Consequent to the establishment of diplomatic relations, both countries took a number of steps in the political, economic, trade and cultural fields to strengthen their bilateral relations since then.

Politically, Sri Lanka has expressed unwavering support for the PRC's "One China" policy. It consistently supported moves at the UN to restore the right of PRC to occupy the seat of China at the UN.

Economic cooperation between the two countries has also grown significantly since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Trade relations between the two countries were formalized by the signing of a General Trade Agreement and Trade and Payment Agreement way back in 1952. In 1982 both countries signed a Trade Agreement to set up a Joint Trade Committee. In 1984 an Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation was signed. In 1991 the two Joint Committees formed under the Agreement of 1982 and 1984 were amalgamated to constitute the Sri Lanka-China Joint Commission for Economic and Trade Cooperation.

The first ever Chinese trade exhibition in Sri Lanka , "China Jiangsu Expo” was held in Colombo in the year 2004. Among the many products available were fabrics, garment accessories, electrical home appliances and electrical and mechanical products. The exhibition organized by the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and Jiangsu Provincial Government of China enabled Chinese businessmen from the Jiangsu Province then to promote business deals with Sri Lankan entrepreneurs.

China also came to rescue of Sri Lanka when certain western forces halted direct aid to Sri Lanka during the recent past. China addressing the matters with concern to the timely requirement of Sri Lanka even roped in its ally Pakistan for providing the most required timely assistance to Sri Lanka . Although Pakistan 's own economy was shaken amidst the global financial recession it increased these assistance to Sri Lanka at China ’s behest.

As Sri Lanka ’s location in the Indian Ocean has been a crucial international passageway since historical periods for trade, the co-existence of a stronger, competitive and a more faithful partner in the region is a key factor in the future social-economic development of Sri Lanka . The glory of the un-broken by gone bilateral and diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China has extended an inviting agenda yet flexible for this gigantic development force in Asia to invest in Sri Lanka aiming higher socio-economic prospects in the future. As a result Chinese engineers are currently building a billion-dollar port in the Sri Lanka ’s Southeast, Hambantota. Amidst western propaganda to express widely but narrow sighted that this is the latest `pearl' in China's strategy to control vital sea-lanes of communication between the Indian and Pacific Oceans by assembling a `string of pearls' in the form of listening posts, in the territorial regimes of others, the process as a whole once successfully completed and run in fruition would be sure to ensure the highest recognition of the Sri Lankan authority along a crucial global maritime course in the entire region. A fact every Sri Lankan should be made aware of and to be proud of. Chinese aid has also helped in a mega scale in Sri Lanka for building highways, developing two power plants and also the Colombo Port Expansion Project.

Projects launched by the Chinese bodies to boost the Cooperate Social Responsibility in neighboring countries also stands at a high rank. Among the activities launched in Sri Lanka in this regard, the assistance extended by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), to improve training for women is performing a commendable task towards the worthy cause of strengthening securing and empowering the dignity of women in Sri Lanka. According to the ACWF, the aid comprises computers and other materials which could be used to educate women.

During the recent fruitful discussions with ACWF on issues such as women and children development and promoting communication in Sri Lanka, it has also been agreed upon to take timely steps to address the issues in a meaningful manner enabling the masses to express themselves in a steady and stronger way in their participation in the process of socio-economic development of Sri Lanka.

when the President Mahinda Rajapaksa met the visiting delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and Party chief of China's Tianjin municipality Zhang Gaoli recently, he said that Sri Lanka and China were tested friends and Sri Lanka offered gratitude on China's assistance to Sri Lanka in its economic and social development. The President also said that the friendly relationship between the two countries has stood long, adding that Sri Lanka had always firmly stood by and would never change its stance on one-China policy.

Following these worthy expressions by a faithful leader of a neighboring country, China had appreciated the Sri Lankan government's firm support for the Chinese government's stance on the issues related to Taiwan , Tibet , Xinjiang and human rights as well. China also congratulated the massive achievement made by the Sri Lankan government on national reconciliation and the development of the country, extending the assurance that the Chinese government will continue to support the Sri Lankan government's efforts to defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Wishes have also been shared for expanding cooperation between Tianjin municipality and Sri Lanka on the areas of economy, trade, tourism and education, among others.

Much recently, responding to a call to the international community by the Government of Sri Lanka for emergency relief assistance for the large number of civilians who have fled to the cleared areas from the clutches of the LTTE, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has donated a sum of US$ one million to the Government of Sri Lanka. The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China , Madam Yang Xiuping at the instance stated that her Government was impressed by the sincere commitment and the efforts of the Sri Lankan Government to do its utmost to assist the large number of civilians who have come over to the cleared areas. As a true friend of Sri Lanka , China was pleased to make this financial contribution towards the Government’s humanitarian relief programme. She also pointed out that earlier, in response to the request made by the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the recent briefing to the diplomatic corps, the staff of the Chinese Embassy made a donation of Rs. two million towards the Government’s emergency relief efforts as well. Besides , Meanwhile recently, the first batch of tents donated by China in its humanitarian aid to the civilians displaced by the conflicts in the north was also arrived in Sri Lanka . These 20 million Yuan (2.93million US Dollars) worth of tents donated by China is due to arrive in Sri Lanka in four batches.

The relationship between China and Sri Lanka has been built on a solid foundation. It is very old and runs back to the ancient times where the famous Chinese monk Fa Hien’s visit stands a symbol of the ancient bilateral relations between the two countries. China contributed in larger scales to the development of Sri Lanka by building the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) which is an enduring monument to Sri Lanka-China relations, the Supreme Court Complex, the Central Main Telecommunication Exchange, the Ginganga Flood Protection Scheme and the re-development of the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital that symbolize and stand exemplary also to the contributions through the cooperate social responsibility across the ocean, while extending further assistance in many infrastructure development projects as well. The Performance Art Theatre currently being constructed in Colombo is another heartiest grant from China to Sri Lanka in the hope of elevating greater potentials of the Sri Lankan community. China and Sri Lanka commenced the work of building the Puttalam Coal Power Plant to satisfy power needs of Sri Lanka . The Sri Lankan government is also looking forward to a twinning- arrangement between some districts in Sri Lanka and China . The assistance extended by China in solving the separatist issue in Sri Lanka is also highly commendable.

With China’s phenomenal expansion in industry and commerce, there is remarkable potential for trade and investment initiatives at present between China and Sri Lanka to be confident that China is developing very rapidly despite a very large population, and Sri Lanka has a lot of lessons to learn from that development.

"knowing your common enemy and yourself, you can win a hundred battles when there exists a long standing good-will and a bond of a heart-felt friend behind you.”