Ali Sabry Presiding Over the Meeting and Delivering a Speech

7月22日，中国（重庆）—斯里兰卡减贫与发展合作圆桌会在斯里兰卡首都科伦坡举行。 图/苏思

On the morning of July 22, China (Chongqing) - Sri Lanka Roundtable on Poverty Alleviation and Development Cooperation was held in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Yuan Jiajun, Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, attended the roundtable and delivered a keynote speech. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry moderated the roundtable and delivered a speech.

Important attendees also included Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka; Guo Yezhou, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee; and Chen Mingbo and Luo Lin, Chongqing municipal leaders.

On the morning of July 22, in the Temple Trees of Sri Lanka, representatives from governments, enterprises, and universities of Sri Lanka and Chongqing gathered in the beautiful city of Colombo to exchange views on the theme of “Poverty Reduction and Development Cooperation”. The roundtable was also addressed by ministers of Sri Lanka, including Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation; Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education; Anupa Pasqual, State Minister of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment; Nalin Fernando, Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security; Mohan de Silva, State Minister of Agriculture; and Diana Gamage, State Minister of Tourism. Representatives of government departments and universities in Chongqing also made speeches, providing suggestions for poverty alleviation and contributing to cooperation between the two sides.

Yuan Jiajun noted in his keynote speech that China and Sri Lanka have been respecting and supporting each other since the diplomatic relations between the two sides were established 66 years ago. China and Sri Lanka have set an example of an amiable relationship and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. We are willing to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen economic and trade ties, expand people-to-people exchanges, and achieve more tangible results through high-quality cooperation under the BRI framework. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has been deploying and implementing targeted poverty alleviation, achieving historic achievements. This roundtable, under the theme of “Poverty Reduction and Development Cooperation” is of great significance in realizing the Global Development Initiative and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to poverty alleviation in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Yuan Jiajun said that Chongqing, the only municipality directly under the central government in China’s central and western regions, is home to large urban areas, rural areas, mountainous areas, and reservoir areas. The poverty alleviation in Chongqing is an epitome of China’s miracle in poverty alleviation. The further consolidation of the achievements provides a solid foundation for building a modern Chongqing. We will also comprehensively promote rural revitalization so as to explore a new path of wealth generation and modernization in mountainous and reservoir areas with Chongqing characteristics. As the seat of the China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center, Chongqing has played a positive role in promoting the experience of China’s poverty reduction and rural revitalization in South Asian countries. Looking ahead, we are willing to deepen China-Sri Lanka poverty reduction cooperation, give full play to Chongqing’s advantages, support Sri Lanka’s poverty reduction, and strengthen practical cooperation in building the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. This will be a boost to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and long-term development, which will bring more benefits to the people of both sides.

Ali Sabry said that the Sri Lanka - China (Chongqing) Roundtable on Poverty Alleviation and Development Cooperation will actively promote China-Sri Lanka relations. Our friendship has a long history. The two countries have carried out a series of extensive and pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, and infrastructure construction, which have reached remarkable achievements, bringing great benefits to the people of both countries. China has completed the arduous task of eliminating absolute poverty, made historic and significant contributions to global poverty reduction, and taken the lead in the world’s poverty reduction efforts. The roundtable is conducive to finding new areas and rooms for cooperation, better promoting development and prosperity, which provides help for Sri Lanka to do a better job in poverty reduction and leads the bilateral relations to a new high in the new historical period. Chongqing is an important base for modern manufacturing in China, with fast and high-quality economic development, and has achieved remarkable results. Sri Lanka and Chongqing enjoy bright prospects for potential cooperation. Sri Lankan will further strengthen communication and exchanges with Chongqing so as to promote practical cooperation in trade and investment, technology transfer, education, and tourism, which will better benefit the people of both countries and promote global economic development.

On July 21, Yuan Jiajun also paid a visit to Hapugala Maha Vidyalaya School in Galle, Sri Lanka, to witness the unveiling of the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Chongqing Smart Classroom, and donated food packages to families in need. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Plantation Industries; Anupa Pasqua, State Minister of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment and Sri Lankan student representatives delivered thank-you speeches. In his speech, Yuan Jiajun said that sub-national cooperation is important to country-to-country cooperation. Chongqing is willing to actively promote the two sides’ communication and exchanges and improve practical cooperation in relevant fields to accelerate high-quality regional development and allow development achievements to truly benefit the peoples. Education is the foundation for stronger national development. Chongqing donated smart classrooms, hoping that local children can learn more knowledge through advanced digital technology. During the exchange with students from the school’s astronomy club, Yuan Jiajun encouraged the children to set lofty ideals and study hard every day so as to become pillars of national development.

Yuan Jiajun conducted in-depth studies on port construction and marine economy development during the visit. At the Colombo International Container Terminal, Yuan Jiajun had a better understanding of the management and operation of the international container terminal and the overall planning of the Hambantota Port. He proposed to make good use of the models, including the “Port-Park” model, and find a suitable path to actively participate in the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. This will contribute to the connectivity among Western China, ASEAN countries, and the world. In the Colombo Port City, Yuan Jiajun followed up on the progress of the project, its planning, industrial development, transportation layout, as well as the development and operation of the Port City. He also explored the city development as well as the protection of historical and cultural heritage in Sri Lanka.

Relevant officials from Sri Lanka and officials from the Chongqing Municipal Government departments attended the events.

7月22日上午，中国（重庆）—斯里兰卡减贫与发展合作圆桌会在斯里兰卡首都科伦坡举行。正在斯里兰卡访问的重庆市委书记袁家军出席论坛并作主旨发言。斯里兰卡外交部长阿里·萨布里主持并致辞。

中国驻斯里兰卡大使戚振宏，中共中央对外联络部副部长郭业洲，重庆市领导陈鸣波、罗蔺参加。

22日上午，斯里兰卡总理府。来自斯里兰卡和重庆市的政府、企业、高校代表汇聚美丽的科伦坡，共同围绕“减贫与发展合作”主题，交流观点、碰撞思想。圆桌会上，斯里兰卡港口、航运与航空部长尼马尔·德席尔瓦，教育部长普雷马贾延塔，妇女儿童事务及社会赋权部国务部长帕斯卡尔，贸易、商务与粮食安全部长纳林·费尔南多，农业国务部长莫汉·德席尔瓦，旅游国务部长加马格出席圆桌会议或作交流发言，重庆市有关部门、高校负责人作交流发言，为推动减贫事业建言献策，为促进两地合作献计出力。

袁家军在主旨发言中说，中斯建交66年来，双方相互尊重、相互支持，树立了大小国家友好相处、互利合作的典范。我们愿共同落实好两国领导人重要共识，加强经贸合作，扩大人文交流，推动高质量共建“一带一路”取得更多务实的新成果。中共十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的中共中央，部署实施精准脱贫攻坚战，取得重大历史性成就。本次圆桌会议，围绕“减贫与发展合作”进行交流，推动落实全球发展倡议和联合国2030年可持续发展议程，为斯里兰卡乃至全球减贫事业贡献中国智慧和中国方案，具有重大的意义。

袁家军说，重庆是中国中西部地区唯一的直辖市，集大城市、大农村、大山区、大库区于一体。重庆的脱贫工作是中国脱贫攻坚战的生动缩影，是中国减贫奇迹的实际体现。我们坚持把巩固脱贫攻坚成果作为现代化新重庆建设的基本底线，全面推进乡村振兴，探索具有重庆特点的山区库区强县富民现代化新路子。作为中国南亚国家减贫与发展合作中心所在地，重庆一直大力推广中国减贫经验和乡村振兴实践，为推动南亚国家减贫事业发挥积极作用。面向未来，我们愿持续深化中斯减贫合作，发挥重庆优势，支持斯里兰卡减贫发展，加强共建国际陆海贸易新通道等务实合作，助推斯里兰卡经济复苏和长远发展，服务增进两地人民福祉。

萨布里说，本次中国（重庆）—斯里兰卡减贫与发展合作圆桌会将对进一步推动中斯两国关系向前发展发挥积极作用。中斯友谊源远流长。两国在贸易投资、基础设施建设等领域开展了一系列广泛而务实的合作，取得显著成效，为两国人民带来了巨大福祉。中国已经完成了消除绝对贫困的艰巨任务，为全球减贫事业作出了历史性的巨大贡献，中国已走在世界减贫事业的前列。此次圆桌会的召开，有利于双方找到新的合作领域、拓展新的合作空间，更好推动发展、实现繁荣，更好帮助斯里兰卡做好减贫工作，为在新的历史时期推动两国关系迈上新台阶贡献力量。重庆是中国重要的现代制造业基地，经济发展速度快、质量高，取得了令人瞩目的成效。斯里兰卡与重庆合作潜力无限、前景十分广阔。斯方将进一步与重庆加强沟通交流，推动两地在贸易投资、技术转移、教育和旅游等领域的务实合作，更好造福两国人民，更好推动全球经济发展。

21日，袁家军还前往斯里兰卡高尔市哈普加勒学校，见证中斯友好重庆智慧教室揭牌，向贫困家庭赠送食品包。斯里兰卡种植园和产业部长帕蒂拉纳，妇女儿童事务及社会赋权部国务部长帕斯卡尔，斯方学生代表致答谢辞。袁家军在致辞中说，地方合作是国家合作的重要组成部分。重庆愿积极促进两地人民沟通交流，更好推动相关领域务实合作，促进区域高质量发展，让发展成果更多惠及两地人民。建设好国家，教育是基础。重庆捐赠智慧教室，就是希望当地孩子通过先进数字技术学到更多知识。在与学校航天兴趣班的学生进行交流时，袁家军鼓励孩子们树立远大理想，好好学习、天天向上，努力成为建设斯里兰卡的栋梁之材。

7月21日，在斯里兰卡高尔市哈普加勒学校，市委书记袁家军同师生交流。 图/苏思

在斯里兰卡期间，袁家军深入考察海港建设、海洋经济发展等。在科伦坡国际集装箱码头，袁家军了解国际集装箱码头管理运营状况和汉班托塔港整体规划，希望用好“港口+园区”等模式，找准目标路径，积极参与国际陆海贸易新通道建设，更好助推中国西部与东盟、中国西部与世界互联互通。在科伦坡港口城，袁家军实地考察建设进展，了解项目建设历程，听取港口城规划理念、产业发展、交通布局和开发运营等情况介绍。袁家军还考察了斯里兰卡城市发展、历史文化保护等。

7月22日，在斯里兰卡科伦坡港口城，市委书记袁家军实地考察建设进展，听取港口城规划理念、产业发展、交通布局和开发运营等情况介绍。 图/苏思

7月20日，在斯里兰卡科伦坡国际集装箱码头，市委书记袁家军了解国际集装箱码头管理运营状况和汉班托塔港整体规划。 图/苏思

斯方有关负责人，重庆市有关部门和单位负责人参加。