CIIE not merely trade platform, but also channel for cultural exchange

COLOMBO — After passing through a dense jungle, one arrives at Sanjeewanie Dewanarayana's handicraft workshop, nestled among lush tropical grasses and trees in Pasyala, about 60 kilometers from Sri Lanka's capital city Colombo.

Displayed in this workshop are dozens of presidential, provincial and zonal awards from various jewelry design competitions. The accolades tell the story of the craftsmanship of three generations of artisans in this family and bear witness to their dream of gaining national recognition for their mastery and stepping onto the international stage.

Busily crafting silver filigree elephants and traditional silver jewelry, 47-year-old craftswoman Sanjeewanie and her 76-year-old father were preparing to deliver nearly 1,000 handmade pieces to Chinese customers at the seventh China International Import Expo, held in Shanghai from Tuesday to Sunday last week.

" (Although) I've been to China three times before, this is my first time participating in the CIIE. I find Chinese people to be warm and welcoming, so it's a great honor to return and present my work to new customers in China," Sanjeewanie said.

Built out of admiration for Sri Lanka's rich tradition of silver craftsmanship, Sanjeewanie's brand, Sanjeewanie Handicrafts, creates products made of 92.5 percent silver, adorned with precious and semi-precious gemstones.

"The CIIE is not only an international trade platform, but also a channel of cultural exchange. I hope my jewelry brings a sense of beauty to my Chinese customers' lives, connecting Sri Lankan traditional culture with theirs in a special way," she said.

Ceylon black tea is another export specialty of Sri Lanka. Saman Kasthurirathne, Hedley's Tea founder and CEO, also embarked on his first CIIE journey.

Hedley's Tea has a strong trading relationship with China, developed through constant imports of metal tins and ceramic ware used for gifting teas, Kasthurirathne said.

"I believe CIIE is the best opportunity for our tea to enter the Chinese market, and we can find likeminded distributors operating there with whom we can establish mutually beneficial partnerships during the CIIE," he said.

Speaking about the products he took to the CIIE, Kasthurirathne said that Hedley's Tea would provide Chinese customers with pure Ceylon tea, which is freshly handpicked, traditionally processed and packed within a short period, ensuring fresh taste, aroma and natural goodness.

"We are excited to reach out to Chinese tea fans, especially the youth whose preferences show a great desire for novelty of taste, seeking authentic, healthy and enjoyable beverages. We believe Hedley's Tea could meet this new generation's expectations," he added.

Kavinda Rajapaksa, deputy president of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, said that industry associations and exhibitors who participated in the CIIE were looking to strengthen cooperation and bilateral relations with China, since CIIE's achievements over the years highlight the importance of open markets, creating a platform for countries to gain new opportunities in global trade.

He said that in the face of today's protectionism and uncertainties, the CIIE has benefited the global economy by introducing new patterns of globalization, and strengthening multilateralism and economic interdependence through establishing new partnerships and reducing trade barriers.

"I think through the CIIE, China has genuinely promoted the practice of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation for all, and it shows China's continuous efforts for global human development. For Sri Lankans, these types of opportunities should not be missed," Rajapaksa added.

Xinhua