China’s new Ambassador arrives; commits to further boost strong Sino-Lanka ties

China’s new Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, with over 30 years’ experience and expertise in Chinese Foreign Service, arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday and will assume duties after a two-week quarantine period. 

Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Ambassador Qi in a message said: “The minute I landed on the land of Sri Lanka, ‘the Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, its beauty, hospitality and kindness have made me feel very touched and heart-warmed. Entrusted by the Government and the people of China, I assume my office as the new Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka with deep honour in my heart and great responsibility on my shoulder.”

He said the friendly relations between China and Sri Lanka could be traced back thousands of years ago, and the two countries are strategic cooperative partners based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. 

“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, especially after President Xi Jinping’s visit to Sri Lanka in 2014, we have seen much achievement in bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas, and maintained close communication and coordination on international and regional affairs. More recently, the time-tested friendship and trust between our two countries have grown even stronger through the joint fight against COVID-19, which set a great example of foreign relations with sincere friendship and mutual support between different countries,” he said. 

As the new Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Qi said he looks forward to working with all colleagues and friends both from China and Sri Lanka, and striving for more achievement in the years to come. 

“Let’s join hands to implement the consensus reached by leaders of our two countries, promote our strategic cooperative partnership, build the Belt and Road Initiative and other cooperation with extensive consultation and joint contribution, so as to bring tangible benefits to our two people and better ensure peace, stability, development and prosperity in this region. Once again please accept my greetings and gratitude,” Ambassador Qi added.

Qi Zhenhong, was born in September 1965. He joined the Chinese Foreign Service in 1988, with a university degree.

Between 1988 and 1996 he was Assistant Economist, Economist, Deputy Director of the Operation and Audit Office, Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions. Between 1996 and 1997 he was Second Secretary, Representation of the People’s Republic of China to the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group. Between 1997 and 1998 he was Second Secretary, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.  Between 1998 and 2004 he was Second Secretary, Deputy Division Director, Division Director, Policy Planning Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and between 2004 and 2009 he was Division Director, Counsellor, Policy Planning Department, MFA and from 2009 to 2012 Counsellor, Deputy Director-General, Policy Planning Department, MFA. 

Between 2012 and 2014 he was Deputy Director-General, General Office, MFA and thereafter until 2017 he was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Between 2017 and October 2020 he was the President of the China Institute of International Studies.