COLOMBO — China's ambassador to Sri Lanka on Friday used a forum marking the release of the fifth volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" to press for deeper economic and political cooperation between the two countries, a year before they are to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Speaking at the China-Sri Lanka Readers Forum at the Hilton Colombo, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong described the volume as an authoritative compilation of President Xi Jinping's latest thinking and said it offered Sri Lanka "useful reference and inspiration" as the country works to revive its economy.
The event drew a senior Chinese delegation and a cross-section of Sri Lankan officials. Among the guests were Hu Kaihong, deputy head of the Central Office of Cultural and Ethical Progress of China, and Yu Tao, vice president of the China International Communications Group, alongside Jagath Wickramaratne, the Speaker of Sri Lanka's Parliament; Madhura Senevirathne, deputy minister of education and higher education; and G. Weerasinghe, general secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Qi said the volume, the latest in a series that began publication in 2014, set out what he called "new strategies, new perspectives, new assertions, and new requirements" for advancing Chinese modernization. He described the underlying ideology, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as "the Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century."
Much of the address focused on Beijing's foreign-policy framework. Mr. Qi said the book elaborated on Mr. Xi's vision of "a community with a shared future for humanity" and traced the progress of three signature programs — the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. He noted that Mr. Xi had since proposed a fourth, the Global Governance Initiative, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin in September, which the ambassador said was aimed at building a "more just and equitable global governance system."
Turning to bilateral relations, Mr. Qi said the two countries' friendship spanned more than 2,000 years and tied the themes of the volume to Sri Lanka's own development goals. He said Beijing was ready to deepen cooperation in areas including port economy, modern agriculture, the digital economy, new energy and poverty reduction, and to strengthen coordination under the Belt and Road Initiative. He noted that next year would mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The forum was one of a series of events China has organized abroad to promote the governance series, which Beijing presents as a guide to understanding its political system. Mr. Qi said he was confident the fifth volume would become "a window" for Sri Lankans to understand China, adding, "The Volume V belongs not only to China, but also to the world."
Full text of the speech as delivered:
Hon. Hu Kaihong, Deputy Head of Central Office of Cultural and Ethical Progress of China,
Hon. Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka,
Hon. Madhura Senevirathne, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education,
Hon. Yu Tao, Vice President of China International Communications Group,
Hon. G. Weerasinghe, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
Good afternoon! It is a great honor to gather here with you today for the China-Sri Lanka Readers Forum on Xi Jinping: The Governance of China(Volume V). Together, we will jointly explore the profound theoretical insights and rich practical achievements of this book. I would like to extend warm welcome to all the distinguished guests, and express my heartfelt gratitude to friends from all walks of life who have long been caring for and supporting China and China-Sri Lanka relations.
Just now, Hon. Hu Kaihong delivered an in-depth and systematic exposition of the core tenets and rich essence of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China(Volume V), with a focus on China-Sri Lanka cooperation and exchanges. I believe that everyone here has gained a deeper understanding of the stances, viewpoints, as well as methods contained therein. Hon. Yu Tao will provide further elaboration later. I would like to take this opportunity to share a few reflections from my own study.
This work demonstrates that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is broad and profound, while keeping pace with the times. This thought is the Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century. It embodies the finest of the Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit of our times, serving as a scientific guide for our endeavors to build a great country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. Meanwhile, it has made a global contribution to people of all countries in enhancing cultural exchanges and mutual learning, jointly pursuing modernization, and addressing the common challenges confronting humanity.
The Volumes I to IV systematically reflect the development trajectory and key content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the publication, the series have drawn widespread attention and sparked strong responses, playing a vital role in helping the international community gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of China’s path, China’s governance, and China’s philosophy. The Volume V, sharing the same origins with the preceding volumes, stands as an authoritative work that systematically presents the latest achievements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It vividly presents new strategies, new perspectives, new assertions, and new requirements for advancing Chinese modernization, and elucidates the governance experience of the Communist Party of China—such as putting people first, deepening reform and opening up, and upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground. It helps countries around the world further grasp the“intellectual key”to understanding a real China and enables them to accurately decode the secret of how China’s governance has succeeded.
This work articulates China’s latest approaches to grasping the major trend and following the right path to address global challenges. Nowadays, the international landscape is witnessing turbulence and transformation. Against this backdrop, the Volume V offers a profound elaboration on the rich connotations and practical achievements of the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. It further provides a scientific answer to the pressing questions of how to respond to a changing world. It also charts the progress of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative in building a better world. Furthermore, it fully demonstrates China’s broad vision and sense of responsibility in bringing new momentum and new opportunities to the world through its own new development. Following the publication of the Volume V, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative at the SCO Tianjin Summit, advocating for building a more just and equitable global governance system. The four major global initiatives, interwoven and organically integrated, light the way forward for a world searching for direction and contribute China’s wisdom and solutions to building a shared future of prosperity and well-being for all.
This work provides new inspiration and guidance for the continued development, revitalization, and win-win cooperation of China and Sri Lanka. The China-Sri Lanka friendship, spanning over two thousand years, has always remained deep-rooted and flourishing. As China forges ahead along the new journey of building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, Sri Lanka is also striving to boost economic development, improve people’s livelihoods, and realize the vision of “a thriving nation, a beautiful life.” The guiding principles and practical pathways set forth in the Volume V on deepening reform comprehensively, expanding high-standard opening-up, achieving high-quality development, and pursuing Belt and Road cooperation provide useful reference and inspiration for Sri Lanka. These contents also outline a new horizon for the two countries to join hands in advancing modernization and achieving common prosperity. Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Sri Lanka. China stands ready to continue working alongside Sri Lanka, further strengthen the synergy of development strategies, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as port economy, modern agriculture, digital economy, new energy, and poverty reduction. With our joint efforts, we can paint a more magnificent picture of building a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future.
The Volume V belongs not only to China, but also to the world. It records the exploration and practice of an ancient civilization striding toward modernization, and it carries the reflections and sense of responsibility of a major country for the future of humanity. I am confident that Volume V will become a window for people from all walks of life in Sri Lanka to understand China in the new era. Let us build consensus through dialogue, enlighten one another through mutual learning, and forge the future through cooperation. Together, we can build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, bringing greater benefits to our two peoples!
In conclusion, I wish this Readers Forum a complete success! Thank you all!
