By Senior Journalist Seelaratna Senarath

In a time of mounting global inequality, persistent poverty, and fractured multilateralism, the 2025 China–South Asia Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development Cooperation, held in Colombo on May 15, emerges as a compelling case for how nations can—and must—collaborate to uplift the vulnerable. This isn’t just a diplomatic formality; it is a practical, people-centered platform grounded in solidarity, knowledge-sharing, and actionable outcomes. It deserves our strongest public endorsement.

The theme of this year’s forum—“Enhancing Regional Cooperation for South Asia’s Development”—is not only timely but essential. It signals an understanding that poverty cannot be defeated in isolation. As Du Zhanyuan, President of the China International Communications Group (CICG), powerfully stated, “Poverty eradication is a global challenge and a common mission for mankind.” He emphasized that the path forward must involve “deepening pragmatic cooperation across various sectors for shared economic prosperity and stability,” and committed to enhancing “bilateral and multilateral exchanges of poverty alleviation experiences.”

Du’s vision is not theoretical. It reflects China’s own hard-earned progress in eliminating extreme poverty—a success built over decades, affecting more than 800 million lives. The Chinese approach, based on targeted interventions and rural revitalization, offers valuable templates for South Asia, where poverty remains deeply rooted, particularly in rural and informal urban sectors. What’s admirable is China’s willingness to share these lessons openly, recognizing that development is most effective when inclusive.

Sri Lanka, as host, is at a critical juncture. While progress in healthcare, education, and infrastructure is undeniable, as Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake candidly acknowledged, “poverty remains a persistent challenge that affects a significant portion of the population.” Rural communities reliant on agriculture face volatility, while urban poor live amid insecure jobs and overcrowded settlements. A national solution alone is insufficient—regional collaboration is vital.

Qi Zhenhong, China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, echoed this shared responsibility when he remarked, “While advancing its poverty alleviation efforts at home, China extended continuous assistance to other developing countries within its capacity.” He referenced China’s contributions through the China–United Nations Peace and Development Fund, the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, and numerous bilateral programs. His message was clear: development cooperation is not charity—it is strategic, equitable partnership.

And partnerships are bearing fruit. Through Belt and Road cooperation and other initiatives, China has already helped fund projects in Sri Lanka such as the enhancement of the fruit value chain, sea cucumber farming, and the Mahaweli Water Diversion and Irrigation Project. These efforts have bolstered local livelihoods and demonstrated what tangible, on-the-ground cooperation can look like. The FAO’s Kapila Munasinghe rightly noted that such projects “not only improve the sustainable development of local agriculture but also create more economic opportunities for farmers.”

The forum wasn’t just about speeches—it was a convergence of policymakers, diplomats, academics, and development specialists who brought diverse insights into tackling poverty with innovation and empathy. The release of the bilingual book “Questions and Answers on Chinese Modernization” provided a framework for further understanding China’s journey and how it might inspire regional adaptation.

As Deputy Minister Dissanayake observed, Sri Lanka stands to learn much from how China has turned cultural heritage into economic value. “Traditional culture is itself a valuable asset,” he said, pointing to festival tourism and rural revitalization as promising avenues for development. It’s an example of how cultural preservation and economic growth can go hand-in-hand.

Supporting this forum means believing in a South Asia where no one is left behind. It means embracing development as a shared pursuit, not a nationalistic race. As China’s guiding principle in poverty alleviation states: “On the road to poverty eradication, not a single person should be left behind.”

That is a future worth striving for.

— Senior Journalist Seelaratna Senarath

About the Writer
Seelaratna Senarath is a veteran journalist and former Director Editorial of ANCL. He also served as Director Programs of China Radio International Sri Lanka FM Service. Senarath has reported extensively on South-South cooperation, China–Sri Lanka relations, and grassroots development issues across South Asia.