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21 SOUTHERN MESSENGERS

Correspondent’s notes— Carrying China-Sri Lanka friendship further
记者手记—— 让中斯友谊传得更远

By Guo Yao 郭瑶/文

Recently in the coastal city of Colombo, the “Harbors We visited Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and The most vivid stories come from the youth.
Tonight” Yunnan-South & Southeast Asia Youth Dialogue Lankapuvath, catching up with journalists who had earlier Cheng Feng, a Chinese-language student at the Univer-
on Sri Lanka quietly began. Under soft lighting, young traveled to Yunnan for the Lancang-Mekong Audiovisual sity of Colombo, brightened as Yunnan came up. “Last year
people from different cultures came together to consider a Week and the China-South Asia Expo. In the local Eng- I joined a summer program at Honghe University,” he re-
common question: How should our generation connect with lish-language dailies, coverage of China-Sri Lanka educa- called. “Strangers would stop to chat with me in the street!
the world? tion partnerships still appeared regularly. That warmth made me feel instantly at home.” Now stud-
Why this theme, and why Sri Lanka? All along the way, Mothilal Hissella, Head of International Relations at Sri ying at a Confucius Institute, he spoke with clear resolve:
I kept turning those questions over. Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, put it this way: “Sri Lanka “Next year I plan to study in China. One day I’ll be teaching
Cooperation has helped something lasting grow between and Yunnan have a lot in common, culturally, ecologically, Chinese myself.”
the two countries. The Colombo Port City, a flagship Belt even agriculturally. If media highlight those natural connec- Siyaran studied at Shandong Normal University and is
and Road project, has taken shape over more than ten years tions through cultural travel, nature, education, the stories of now a local Chinese teacher. She said emotionally: “China
of work. To many Sri Lankans, the Chinese-built develop- exchange between us will reach more people.” taught me self-reliance and independence, and I also learned
ment represents tangible opportunity and proof that partner- “Sri Lanka and Yunnan feel like long-lost kin, separated the diligence of Chinese people. I encourage everyone to
ship can yield real results. only by mountains and sea,” someone remarked during the learn languages, learn cultures, open windows to see the
At the airport, we happened upon the medical team of gathering. world, make themselves wiser and more inspiring, and mo-
the “Yunnan Hand-in-Hand Program” Brightness Action for Walking through these days, I understood exactly what tivate more people.”
Sri Lanka. Eight physicians from the First Affiliated Hos- they meant. To the young, curiosity can bridge divides and explora-
pital of Kunming Medical University had come to restore More than six centuries ago, the Yunnan-born navigator tion can draw places nearer. Chinese students grow through
sight to 100 local cataract patients. Including this mission, Zheng He sailed more than once to Sri Lanka, helping open their time at the University of Colombo; Sinhala instructors
China has provided 450 free vision-restoring surgeries in Sri a maritime exchange that would flourish for generations. share Sri Lankan culture in Yunnan; Yunnan-based scientists
Lanka this year alone. Four hundred and fifty pairs of eyes Today, Yunnan black tea and Ceylon tea steep in cups side study marine life despite the province’s inland location.
opening again to the world, each one a quiet testament to by side, their fragrances echoing each other. Knowledge, in their hands, keeps transcending maps.
the depth of friendship between the two countries. Forests, grasslands, mountains, wetlands, peacocks, As we left, the sea breeze remained gentle.
The expressway running from the airport into Colombo elephants… both regions are endowed with singular ecolog- The friendship between China and Sri Lanka, built over
was built with Chinese support. Our local guide Jeff, who ical wealth and share a commitment to protecting it. Their 68 years of diplomatic ties, has deepened through partner-
speaks fluent Mandarin, smiled as he told us, “Sri Lankans cultures, too, speak in similar cadences—in the patterns of ship; the natural resonance between their cultures flows
hold a lot of warmth for China. Chinese visitors are always traditional dress, the symbols carved into handicrafts, the steadily through exchange. And when young people choose
welcome here.” quiet courtesy of everyday interaction. It is a resonance that to walk toward one another, the future holds stories not yet
has passed softly from one generation to the next. written.