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LKI’s Deputy Director Radhika De Silva recently spoke at one of the six parallel sessions of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC) held in Beijing. The session entitled ‘Mutual Learning Among Asian Civilizations and Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind’ was hosted by the National Institute for Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

The session aimed to highlight the unique role of think tanks in promoting mutual learning among Asian civilizations and strengthening the exchange of ideas to build a community with a shared future for mankind. The session drew a diverse group of famous experts and scholars from Asian and non-Asian think tanks.

In her presentation, Ms. De Silva explored the economic, cultural, religious and diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and China, drawing from both a historical and contemporary context. She also highlighted LKI’s contribution to enhancing Sri Lanka’s external relations and China-Sri Lanka ties.

Citing research produced by LKI, Ms. De Silva noted that there are several ways in which China-Sri Lanka bilateral relations can reach a more equitable ground. Sri Lanka has yet to reach its potential in attracting Chinese tourists.

In order to reduce the prevailing trade deficit with China, she highlighted that Sri Lanka could work to conclude the China-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. This could pave the way to attract export-oriented foreign investment from China and provide greater access to the Chinese market. She also proposed that Sri Lanka and China could work on collaborative partnerships in the fields of agriculture, sports and cultural exchanges.

The CASS is one of the top 25 thinktanks established by the Chinese government. The think tank’s research focuses on areas such as China’s global strategy, China’s peripheral security and the Belt and Road Initiative.