The delegation was led by Chinese top official Gao Shuxun (Senior Adviser to People’s Government of Yunnan Province), who was a former Vice-Governor of Yunnan.

Minister Bathiudeen addressing the delegation assured the Sri Lankan government is very keen on the FTA with China and continuing its work on it with no change.

Senior Adviser Shuxun handed over the official invitation extended by Yunnan Governor Chen Hao for the 24th Kunming Fair in June to Minister Bathiudeen. The 24th Kunming Fair and 4th China South Asia Expo to be held in Yunnan capital Kunming from June 12th to 17th June.

According to Shuxun, Yunnan–Lanka cooperation could focus on heavy infrastructure projects including railways & airports, bio-pharmaceuticals, fishery and high elevation agriculture/plateau agriculture. Specially, Sri Lanka-Yunnan need to join together to exploit the growing demand for maritime, fishery and seafood cooperation in such inland Provinces as Sichuan and Quinghai.

Sri Lanka’s trade with Yunnan in 2015 was reportedly at US$ 80 million. According to the Department of Commerce, Sri Lanka’s overall trade with China in 2015 was at US$ 4 million, increasing by 12% from 2014. Sri Lanka’s exports to China YoY increased by 69% in 2015, and imports rose by 9%.