The Sri Lanka–China Business Council (SLCHBC) of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of economic and trade cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.
Held under the theme “25 Years of Unwavering Alliance,” the anniversary celebration brought together senior government officials, diplomats, former presidents and office-bearers of the Council, and leading business representatives from Sri Lanka and China.
Among those attending were Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of John Keells Holdings PLC, and Wang Gang, Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka and Managing Director of China Harbour Engineering Company.
Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, attended as Chief Guest and highlighted the strength of the economic relationship between the two countries.
The Minister noted that China remained Sri Lanka’s largest import partner in 2025, with iron and steel, knitted fabrics and vehicles among the country’s leading imports from China. Sri Lankan exports to China included apparel, tea, activated carbon, vegetable fibre and coconut husk chips, among other products.
He encouraged businesses in both countries to strengthen partnerships and expand bilateral trade while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to creating a stable, transparent and investor-friendly business environment.
The event was also attended by Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, and Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development.
Zhu Yanwei, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, attended as Guest of Honour on behalf of Ambassador Qi Zhenhong. He commended the Council for its contribution to strengthening economic and trade relations between Sri Lanka and China over the past 25 years.
Zhu said China looked forward to the Council continuing its role as a bridge between the two business communities. He also highlighted the importance of advancing the bilateral free trade agreement, attracting greater Chinese investment into Sri Lanka and facilitating increased exports of high-quality Sri Lankan products to the Chinese market.
In his welcome address, Haroun Cader, President of the Sri Lanka–China Business Council, described the anniversary as a celebration of friendship, enterprise and partnership.
Reflecting on the Council’s establishment 25 years ago under the aegis of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Cader noted that its original purpose was to create stronger connections between the business communities of Sri Lanka and China.
He also paid tribute to Ambassador Qi Zhendong for his support and close cooperation with the Council during his tenure.
Looking towards the future, Cader outlined several priorities for the Council, including helping small and medium-sized Sri Lankan businesses gain greater access to Chinese markets and investors, facilitating the transfer of new technologies and skills through local partnerships, and maintaining its position as a trusted platform for bilateral business engagement.
The Council’s future agenda will also focus on emerging areas shaping international commerce, including digital trade, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
The 25th anniversary celebration therefore marked not only a milestone in the Council’s history but also an opportunity to strengthen the foundations for future Sri Lanka–China business cooperation, investment and trade.
Haroun Cader presenting a token of appreciation to Zhu Yanwei
The ceremonial cutting of the 25th anniversary cake marking 25 years of the Sri Lanka–China Business Council
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