Chinese delegation in Sri Lanka to explore means to strengthen social and economic ties
A senior academic delegation led by the Vice President of Sichuan University Prof. Yan Shijing and the Director General of the newly established China Center for South Asian Studies (CCSAS) Prof. Sun Shihai visited Pathfinder Foundation (PF), to discuss ways and means of further strengthening links between the two institutions through partnership and collaboration, a local media has recently reported.
According to the media report, CCSAS of Sichuan University is authorised by the Central Government as one of China’s top think-tanks.
CCSAS is committed to play a catalytic and decisive role in analysing the economic, social, security and strategic issues, as well as progress of the countries within the South Asian region, provide policy recommendations to the government, and to act as a platform for academic exchange and research cooperation between China and countries in Indian Ocean Region.
Sichuan University (SCU), established in 1896, is one of China’s top universities. SCU has a comprehensive range of disciplines covering 12 categories, and has shown great strength in research and made remarkable achievements over the years. SCU receives around 4000 overseas students from all over the world, including some from Sri Lanka, most of whom study medicine, civil engineering, humanities, economics and management.
The visiting delegation had reportedly consisted of Prof. Yan Shijing – Vice President of Sichuan University; Mr. Sun Shihai – Director General of CCSAS; Prof. Zhang Li – Professor at CCSAS; Prof. Li Zhiqiang – Executive Dean of the School of International Studies; Prof. Huang Yunsong – Coordinator at CCSAS & Associate Dean of the School of International Studies and Dr. Chen Changning – Deputy Director of Center for American Studies at the School of International Studies.
Meanwhile, the Pathfinder Foundation was represented by Bernard Goonetilleke – Chairman; Lalith Weeratunga – Senior Fellow; Mr. Luxman Siriwardena – Executive Director and Director, China Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre; Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage- Director Centres for Indo-Lanka Initiatives and Law of the Sea; Mr. K. Balasundaram – Chief Executive Officer MMBL group of companies; Dr. Zhou Ying – Associate Director of the China – Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Center; Ameera Arooz – Program Manager; Gayathri Nanayakkara, Research Analyst, Yasalani Amarasekera, Asst. Program Manager and Sarah Hettiarchchi – Project Executive.
OSL take:
Ties between Sri Lanka and China have been growing in the past few years and the two countries are continuously improving their economic, trade and social ties. Foreign businesses interested in doing business in China could explore opportunities of doing business via Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan businesses could also look at forming joint ventures with Chinese businesses and vice versa.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20181115/Z_2 |