China’s ambassador to Sri Lanka has welcomed the country’s improving investment climate while making clear that bureaucratic inefficiency and inconsistent policy implementation continue to stand in the way of the island reaching its full potential as an investment destination.
Speaking to journalists and think tank representatives in Colombo, ambassador Qi Zhenhong said Sri Lanka urgently needs dedicated one-stop shops for investment approvals and should look to modernise the process, citing Shanghai as a model where foreign investors can complete the entire approval process online without setting foot in China.
He acknowledged that government initiatives such as Clean Sri Lanka and the Digital Economy programme contain the right ingredients for a stronger investment environment, but warned that good intentions alone are not enough.
“Shortcomings typically arise from a failure to account for operational realities,” he said, highlighting a persistent gap between policy goals and their practical implementation.
The Chinese ambassador backed his concerns with a telling example, recounting how a Chinese investor hoping to set up an AI and robotics-powered smart fuel station in Colombo was unable to find suitable land to get the project off the ground.
On the relationship between the two countries, the ambassador struck an optimistic tone.
He said that China would shortly provide Sri Lanka with 100 electric buses for public transport, and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to continued assistance, referencing recent support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
The ambassador also used the occasion to brief his audience on the outcomes of China’s recently concluded “two sessions”, (annual meetings of the NPC and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), describing 2026 as a landmark year marking the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.
He recalled China’s economic trajectory over the past five years, noting that GDP had grown at an average annual rate of 5.4%, consistently contributing around 30% to global economic growth.
In 2025 alone, China’s GDP reached the equivalent of over USD 20 trillion, with total goods trade surpassing USD 6.5 trillion.
He added that China has been the world’s largest producer and seller of new energy vehicles for ten consecutive years.
Ambassador Qi said China had set a GDP growth target of between 4.5% and 5% for 2026, with the next five-year plan placing a strong emphasis on high-quality development, digital industries, and research and development investment.
Addressing rising global tensions, the ambassador described China as a stabilising force for world peace, and reiterated president Xi Jinping’s vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
“Walking with China means walking with opportunities,” he said, adding that China’s continued growth would inevitably bring new possibilities for Sri Lanka and deliver greater benefits for the people of both nations.