China Sri Lanka Friendship
Relations between the Peoples Republic of China and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka are generally strong. Both nations maintain extensive cultural, economic, strategic and military cooperation. There is a Chinese embassy located in Sri Lanka and a Sri Lankan embassy situated in China.
China Sri Lanka Diplomatic Ties
Sri Lanka was among the first countries to recognize Peoples Republic of China. Sri Lankas relations with the Peoples Republic of China became stronger since then; the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits resulting in a variety of agreements. China has provided Economic, Military and Technical assistance to Sri Lanka.
China cooperation with Sri Lanka has reached high economic points with substantial investment from China in Sri Lankan infrastructural expansion, including the noted project in the Sri Lankan port in Hambantota. China and Sri Lanka also share a close military relation, with China supplying a range of modern armaments to the Sri Lanka military.
China Sri Lanka Political Ties
Sri Lanka today continues to align itself politically with the People's Republic of China, Sri Lanka has a dialogue partner status at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and aspires to membership to this organization, in which China plays a leading role.
Sri Lanka supported China to get an Observer status in South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SARRC) (other South Asian countries also supported)
Sri Lanka believes China should be a full time member in South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SARRC) (other South Asian countries also supporting).
China Sri Lanka Economic Ties
China Sri Lanka Investment promotion agreement signed in 2007. Chinese companys investing in special economic zones in Sri Lanka. Chinas most popular Huawei Technologies heavily invested in Sri Lanka & all Sri Lankan Telecom companys has agreements with Huawei Technologies.
China Sri Lanka Tourism promotion agreement signed in 2007. Chinese tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka increased year to year.
China Sri Lanka Development project The Hambantota Development Zone, which the China will help build, will include an International Container port, a bunkering system, an oil refinery, an International Airport and other facilities. It is expected to cost about US$1 billion and the China are said to be financing more than 85% of the project.
Construction on the first phase of the project is begun and is due to be completed in three years. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in the next 15 years. China Sri Lanka Cooperation on the project in Hambantota, 240 kilometers south of the Sri Lanka capital, Colombo, into a major transshipment hub. Hambantota Infrastructure will help service hundreds of ships that ply the waters to the south of Sri Lanka.
China is the largest trading partner of Sri Lanka within the Asian region.
China proposed a Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka.
China Sri Lanka FTA will be signed in the Future.
Sri Lanka offered oil exploration block to china. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has begun oil exploration work in Sri Lanka.
China constructing two 500MW thermal power plants and a highway in Sri Lanka.
China offered technical assistants to modernize Sri Lanka Railways. Sri Lanka Railway modernizing work begun & China will provide latest railway engines & power sets.
China car companies Chinas FAW car company & SAIC Car Company currently negotiating with board of Investment of Sri Lanka to setup manufacturing plants in Sri Lanka.
FAW Car Company & SAIC Car Company will export vehicles from Sri Lanka to Latin American counties & to some African countries, recently Sri Lankas Micro car company & Chinas DMC car company began Negotiation to launch a join car project.
From 2007 Sri Lanka trying to launch a Communication satellite but Sri Lanka need financial & technical assistants to launch a Communication satellite so Sri Lanka suffered several set backs in the Communication satellite project.
Sri Lanka requested several Countries to help in Communication satellite project. China replied positively to Sri Lanka request China agreed to provide financial & technical assistants. Currently Sri Lankan & Chinese officials negotiating an agreement about the Communication satellite project. In the future Sri Lanka will have a Communication satellite supported by China.
China Sri Lanka Defense Ties
China and Sri Lanka maintaining and promoting closer cooperation in the area of Defense. China's defense exports to Sri Lanka have tripled.
China exports ammunition, anti-tank guided missiles, Rocket launchers and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, Air to Air missiles, Air to surface missiles, Deep penetration bombs and rockets, mortar ammunition. Night vision devices, artillery armor mortars, security equipment, Tanks, F7G jets, Navel Vessels, radars, communicant equipment and other military assistance to Sri Lanka.
China and Sri Lanka has been eager to boost its capabilities for high-tech aerial warfare and restructure and reorient its militarys to respond to the emerging challenges. China and Sri Lanka also cooperating in the area of military training and exercises.
JF-17 fighter jets deal - According to Global Security, in July 2003 Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CAIC) unveiled the new JF-17 fighter jets and China supposedly received orders from Sri Lanka. JF-17 entered production in 2006. But still no JF-17 fighter jets in Sri Lanka.
Recently Sri Lanka Defense Secretary & Sri Lankan military team visited China.
A Chinese senior military officer & Chinese military team expected to visit Sri Lanka this year.