Colombo hosts China-Sri Lanka Media Cooperation and Exchange Seminar

Colombo (People's Daily) -- The 2026 China-Sri Lanka Media Cooperation and Exchange Seminar was held Friday afternoon in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital. Under the theme "Trust and Win-Win: Media Responsibility in Building the China–Sri Lanka Community with a Shared Future," the seminar attracted over 80 attendees from government, media, think tanks and universities in both nations.

Participants discussed topics such as building a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations, enhancing media cooperation and fostering closer ties between their peoples.

In her remarks, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Mass Media, noted the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and China and emphasized that the media should contribute to a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future.

"Technology and media have become increasingly important in shaping contemporary relations," the deputy minister said, adding that the development of China-Sri Lanka media cooperation in recent years demonstrates this evolving relationship.

Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Deputy Minister of Mass Media of Sri Lanka, delivers opening remarks. Speaking at the seminar in Colombo on Friday, she highlighted the evolving role of technology and media in shaping bilateral relations. (Photo: People's Daily)

Wei Huaxiang, China's ambassador to Sri Lanka, said that China and Sri Lanka enjoy a long-standing friendship, and that bilateral cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has borne abundant fruit. The media are important witnesses, chroniclers and promoters of this path of friendship.

Wei Huaxiang, Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka, addresses attendees during the event. Speaking at the seminar in Colombo on Friday, Ambassador Wei emphasized that bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has borne abundant fruit. (Photo: People's Daily)

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Sri Lanka, and the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact. Ambassador Wei noted that Chinese and Sri Lankan media should serve as a bridge for telling new stories of sincere mutual assistance, everlasting friendship and win-win cooperation toward a shared future between China and Sri Lanka in the new era.

During the roundtable discussion, representatives from Chinese and Sri Lankan media outlets -- including Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Daily FT and TV Derana, as well as People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency and China Daily --held discussions.

Media representatives and experts participate in a roundtable discussion. Attendees discussed enhancing news exchange and joint production initiatives between Chinese and Sri Lankan media outlets. (Photo: People's Daily)

The seminar also launched two outcome documents: the Colombo Initiative on China-Sri Lanka Media Cooperation and the China-Sri Lanka Media Cooperation Action Plan.

The Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation hosted the seminar, and the Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia and the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation organized it.