Friendship and Diplomacy Leading To Prosperity and Peace

We in Sri Lanka China Society enthusiastically rejoice and celebrate the year of 2009 for two major reasons. It is the sixtieth year of founding the People’s Republic of China (1949) which brought about the emancipation of billions of Chinese people thereby opening up a new chapter of the history of mankind of the modern world. Equally important to us is the completion of fifty-five years of the establishment of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) in the year 1954.

We have learnt that the CPAFFC is a very strong and important arm of a vast organization built by the Chinese people to effect all round advancement in every field of development. The statute of the CPAFFC very appropriately states that “The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) is a national people’s organization of the People’s Republic of China”.

I am reminded of a statement made by the Chinese President Jiang Zemin regarding the foreign policy of China: “We should further strengthen our solidarity and cooperation with the third world countries. The developing countries share the same fundamental goal of safeguarding their independence and developing the economy. The Chinese people are ready to join hands with the people of other countries in making unremitting efforts to promote the lofty cause of peace and development and work for brighter future of mankind.”

The solidarity and close cooperation with other countries could be gained by an effective diplomatic service. Yet， the more attractive and effective way of achieving these ends can be through among the informal organizations. I am of the opinion that this role in China is played by the CPAFFC.

“Friendship” has been a keyword inscribed in the line of thinking of the policy-makers of the People’s Republic of China. It is very clear that China will always join the vast number of developing countries in mutual support and close cooperation in all areas to safeguard lawful rights and interests. With the assistance and support of the Chinese Government and all sections of the society， the CPAFFC has carried out its important role. The member organizations spread all over China and the major social bodies of China nearly 300 in number will extend absolute cooperation to the CPAFFC.

Since the establishment of Sri Lanka China Society on 5th October 1981 we have been in close contact with the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and friendship which entered our small island of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) through the fabulous and traditional silk route in good old days， has been strengthened mutually. The encouragement and the cooperation extended to us by the CPAFFC in the effort is exemplary.

Our society has annually maintained and executed a meaningful calendar of activities leading to the strengthening of mutual friendship. A meaningful programme to celebrate the Chinese National Day on 1st October was annually carried out with the participation of the Chinese Embassy. Essay competitions among school children， panel discussions， public meetings， photography exhibitions were conducted annually. Ours is the only Chinese friendship organization in Sri Lanka which conducted as many as five Chinese Film Festivals with the assistance of the Chinese Embassy. The completion of 30 years， 40 years and 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries was celebrated in grand scale. In connection with the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations (2007) we released a book written in Sinhala language about China. This was distributed among all schools in the island. This is the first ever book in Sinhala about China.

Once in two years the CPAFFC used to invite a friendship delegation from our Society. We have so far sent 10 delegations and also we have hosted two delegations from China. As a matter of practice we have got all such delegates who visit China to write articles about their impressions and observations. All such articles are published in a small booklet and distributed free of charge. We have already published ten editions of that booklet named Notes on Travel.

On my table I have a souvenir presented to me by the CPAFFC in Colombo at the BMICH in May 2007. It is inscribed: “Mr. Amaradasa Gunawardena is granted the award of Contribution to China-Sri Lanka Friendship by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries——May 2007”.

There were as many as 12 awardees in May 2007. I am proud to state that 5 out of 12 were received by members of Sri Lanka China Society. It appears that the CPAFFC has recognized our contribution during the last 27 years continuously. We certainly feel honoured to be with the CPAFFC. All our members whole-heartedly wish a brighter future for the CPAFFC.

The author is president of Sri Lanka China Society.