Two landmark achievements of the Chinese people during the last decade were the alleviation of abject poverty and the new Silk Road Economic Project (Belt and Road Initiative). China lifted 800 million people out of abject poverty. More than one hundred countries have gained entry to BRI, President of the Commemorative Committee of the 65th Anniversary of Sri Lanka – China Diplomatic Relations Dew Gunasekara, has told an event held recently at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Colombo.

Among those present on the occasion were Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former PM Ranil Wickremasinghe and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China,Russia, Vietnam and Cuba

Gunasekera said at the outset, “May I convey our fraternal greetings to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, Comrade Xi Jin Ping and other comrades on this significant occasion of the 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations?

“Sri Lanka – China-friendly relations are more important and relevant today than ever, domestically, regionally and globally.

“Why?”

Firstly, the 1st Century belongs to Asia after 500 years since the 15th Century; Asia has become the vanguard of the World Economy.

“Secondly, Asia is more united than ever before.

“Thirdly, with the withdrawal of US Forces from Afghanistan, Asia relatively is more peaceful, particularly as peace is dawning for the people of the Middle East since the 2nd World War.

“Fourthly, China is today the engine of growth in the Asian Economy.

The 20th Century had witnessed two world wars, so many National Liberation struggles, the birth of new Independent States, the birth of Republics also many military coups and conspiracies, ethnic and religious conflicts engineered by Imperialists.

“We entered the 21st Century with hopes and aspirations for a better future. Now a new era is emerging as China has become the second-largest economy in the world.

“Looking back, the whole historical process of transition in Asia commenced with the first Democratic Revolution of China in 1911. The feudal kingdom was abolished. However Imperialism and feudalism prevented China from enacting a new republican constitution–so the task of the second Democratic Revolution was bestowed on the Young Communist Party of China which accomplished that historic task in 1949.

“The Chinese revolution was a source of strength and inspiration to the people in the rest of Asia. From 1949 till 1975 i.e., the end of the Vietnam War, China had been for 26 years isolated from the rest of the world.

“The contribution made by Chinese people for the course of national and social liberation in Asia is significantly remembered with deep respect to the Chinese leadership.

“China after the Revolution had to rebuild from scratch. It regained its seat in the UN only in 1976.

” So, China had to look for a new economic strategy in the context of global trends of economic globalization and neo-liberalism. The new strategy of openness and reforms initiated under the dynamic leadership of Deng Xiao Ping was the turning point of New China.

“The 21st Century witnessed the rise of China in the global economy. Since 2010 China had a phenomenal economic growth of development turning China into the second-largest economy in the world.

“In 2021, despite the global economic downturn and negative effects of COVID-19, China became a $ 19 trillion economy. At the start of the Century in the year 2000, it was only $ 7 trillion. It is now advanced in all spheres of economic activity. Chinese advancement in science and technology is miraculous.

“These changes unprecedented in human history are taking place under the dynamic leadership of Xi Jin Ping – General Secretary of the Communist Party of China.

“China being the largest exporter, the largest importer, largest food producer, largest foreign exchange reserve, a huge market with a middle class alone of 500 million people is a decisive factor in the global economy.

“Chinese economists have devised new instruments and mechanisms in order to face the challenges of the global economic crisis. With the disruption of the supply chain with the onset of COVID- 19 Chinese economists through a mechanism of dual circulation diverted excess exports from the export market into the internal market.

” Karl Marx had predicted the potential market of China as a decisive factor, Vladimir Lenin in his last theoretical contribution has also stressed the need for a Chinese Revolution for the Socialist Transformation. This is precisely why the Sri Lanka-China friendship is all important today. The significance of the Bandung principles of peace and peaceful co-existence has become more relevant today.

“The reality of the new China is recognised by all and that is precisely why all political party leaders are gracing this occasion with their kind presence.

“Dr. S.A. Wickremasinghe, the founding leader of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka was the first to meet the leaders of the Chinese Revolution in 1950, soon after the Revolution. The first political party delegation was led by Phillip Gunawardena. The first Cabinet Minister who visited new China was R.G. Senanayake, Minister of Trade and Commerce in the Dudley Senanayake Government.

“The first Buddhist monk, who met Thera, was instrumental in forming the Sri Lanka- China Friendship Society, Afro-Asian Solidarity Organisation, and Sri Lanka Peace Council?. He was the unknown personality operating behind the Rubber-Rice Agreement.

“The first Government Official to visit China on an official assignment was Prof. Jayantha Kelegama, the eminent economist representing the Ministry of Trade and Commerce. It was in connection with the historic Rubber- Rice Agreement.

“Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the first head of the government to visit the People’s Republic of China.

“The first Lankan Ambassador to the new People’s Republic of China was Wilmot A. Perera, a pioneer of the Sooriya Mal Movement – one of the vanguards of the Anti-imperialist struggle.

“I take this opportunity to record with deep appreciation the initiative taken by all party leaders for strengthening fraternal Relations. “