China's agricultural expertise fuels agricultural prospects in Sri Lanka

More cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is something that the Sri Lankan agricultural sector really needs to realize its sustainable development and ensure food security, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network in Shanghai, Gunawardena said the Sri Lankan government is placing greater emphasis on the cooperation of science and technology cooperation with China.

Last year, at the invitation of the local government, he visited southwest China's Yunnan Province in August and showed a particular interest in the state of Chinese technologies supplied in the flower auction trade center and agricultural sector. The prime minister even asked experts about how to bring those technologies back to his country.

"There's a lot of research in China. Their productivity is very high. That is one area where our farmers, [and] our entrepreneurs can take advantage of having a hyper-producing agricultural sector, new areas of investment which can go in for exports not only to China but to other markets. You have all research stations, which have been able to produce high-yielding varieties. Representatives of Yunnan have come to Sri Lanka and we have earmarked two special provinces for this development that could take place, so the close cooperation definitely will lead to better economic prosperity, and Sri Lanka is one of them that would like to cooperate and get the support to develop our agriculture, especially rice farmers' productivity to increase, income levels to increase, costs to be reduced. All other countries are in today's agricultural development because food security is an important area," Gunawardena said.

Sri Lanka is determined to modernize its agriculture to achieve the objectives of increasing farmers' incomes and productivity, market regulation, increasing export-oriented products, and fostering agri-entrepreneurs by attracting the youth to agriculture and making use of information technology.

At the beginning of the year, the country's cabinet approved a proposal for a national policy framework to seek a larger role for the agriculture sector in building a developed Sri Lanka by 2048.

According to the Department of Census and Statistics, agricultural activities in Sri Lanka expanded by 2.6 percent in the year 2023.

China's agricultural expertise fuels agricultural prospects in Sri Lanka

Leading traditional automakers and China's emerging new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers are developing products that are more suitable for the Chinese consumer market, with companies vying to debut their latest offerings at the ongoing auto show in Beijing.

Running from April 25 to May 4, this year's Auto China, also known as the Beijing Auto Show, serves as a testament to China's leading position in the NEV market.

With a strong focus on NEVs, Chinese carmakers are driving competition and pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can offer.

German auto giant Volkswagen just launched its new ID.UX all-electric vehicle models at the auto show. 

"It is truly a reflection of our commitment to delivering electrifying new choices and exceptional digital experiences for our customers in China. In today's ICV (intelligent connected vehicles) era, consumers seek immersive, emotional experiences. Every ID.UX model, as you can see behind me, features a golden 'VW' logo, symbolizing our dedication to innovation, quality and uniqueness. We are delivering on our 'in China, for China' promise to customers at 'China speed'," said Erwin Gabardi, Volkswagen (AnHui) Automotive Company Limited. 

Domestic NEV makers Xpeng and NIO unveiled new models at the auto show, which cater to a more budget-conscious market segment. 

"Onvo, our new subsidiary, has a primary focus on the family market. We want to create the finest SUV for families. We are confident in the performance of our first model, the L60. With our intelligent technology and extensive charging and battery swapping network, we believe it will surpass expectations," said Li Bin, founder and CEO of NIO. 

According to experts, the introduction of models that target different market segments is seen as a positive factor contributing to healthy competition in the NEV market. 

"In an era of new technology development and diverse consumer needs, auto companies are placing significant emphasis on targeting specific segments to cater to the differentiated demands of consumers. This approach proves beneficial for promoting the automobile industry," said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association.

Major car brands showcase new NEV models at Beijing Auto Show