CICIR and Pathfinder confer on strengthening China-Sri Lanka cooperation

Assistant President Professor Zhang Li together with his team representing the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations and PF Founder Milinda Moragoda and team  

Assistant President Professor Zhang Li together with his team representing the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) visited the Pathfinder Foundation (PF) recently to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two institutions.

CICIR is a longstanding, extensive and multifunctional research and consultation organization focusing on international, strategic and security studies. It covers all geographic areas and major strategic and comprehensive issues encountered by the world. The Pathfinder Foundation and CICIR have enjoyed a long-term relationship, which resulted in a joint publication on the theme ‘The Island of the Lion and the Land of the Dragon: Essays on Sri Lanka-China Relations’ in 2016. 

At the outset of the discussion, held at River Point Peliyagoda, head office of the PF, PF Founder Milinda Moragoda presented Prof. Zhang with a copy of the ‘Pathfinder National Security Strategy 2020 for Sri Lanka’. During the follow up discussion with CICIR, he proposed a joint conference on Track II dialogue on China-Sri Lanka relations. 

PF Chairman Bernard Goonetilleke emphasised the desirability for China to build new technical and vocational training institutions as well as tertiary level educational institutions aimed at providing engineering and other skills to the youth to meet the demand of large scale industries envisaged under the Hambantota Industrial Zone, the port and the airport in that region.   

PF Executive Director Luxman Siriwardena, highlighted the significance of strengthening China-Sri Lanka relations and proposed that increased FDI from China and opening up of its markets to Sri Lankan products as the most effective way of assisting Sri Lanka in achieving its economic development goals with new technology, especially with new concepts like ‘Smart Cities’.

Both sides agreed to pursue future relations by conducting a joint study in identifying new digital economic opportunities for Sri Lanka.