Sri Lankan PM Harini set for High-Stakes China Visit

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya is scheduled to embark on a crucial official visit to China on October 13, initiating a diplomatic tour intended to reinforce economic cooperation and advance major bilateral projects. The visit, confirmed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in Parliament, is expected to see the Prime Minister hold bilateral discussions with senior Chinese leadership, including scheduled meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The trip is viewed by diplomatic observers as a critical mission to bolster the island nation's economic stability and strengthen its non-aligned foreign policy.

The core agenda for the visit revolves around accelerating key infrastructure and investment initiatives under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). High on the priority list for discussion is the future development and utilization of major projects, including the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port. Sri Lankan officials are keen to secure fresh Chinese investments in nascent sectors such as green energy, the digital economy, and logistics, aiming to diversify the economic relationship beyond traditional infrastructure loans.

A major focus of the Prime Minister’s economic diplomacy is the push toward concluding a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations. Finalizing the FTA has been identified by both sides as a way to significantly expand market access for Sri Lankan exports to China, providing a crucial boost to the country's post-crisis economic recovery efforts. Discussions are also expected to cover mechanisms to further promote trade, tourism, and capacity building.

Strategically, the visit underscores Sri Lanka's balanced foreign policy. Coming just before a scheduled visit to India, the trip signals Colombo’s intent to maintain robust strategic partnerships with both Asian giants while upholding its non-aligned stance. Both nations are expected to reaffirm their commitment to mutual support on core political issues. The Prime Minister is also slated to attend a forum jointly organised by China and UN Women. The outcomes of the October 13 visit are expected to shape the trajectory of Sino-Lanka relations, particularly concerning capital investment and trade facilitation, through the remainder of the decade.

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