Prasada (second from right) participates in the CIIE. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

Giguruwa Gamage Sathyajith Prasada from Sri Lanka, who goes by the Chinese name Li Delong, has participated in every edition of the China International Import Expo and will once again attend the sixth CIIE this November.

Since arriving in China in 1998, Prasada has witnessed the rapid development of China and how the Belt and Road Initiative and the CIIE have helped his country.

"This year marks my sixth year attending the CIIE. My understanding of the 'Chinese Dream' deepens every year," said Prasada.

In 2018, Prasada's company rented a small booth within the Sri Lanka Pavilion at the inaugural CIIE to promote his nation's Ceylon tea. This move has since helped the company grow rapidly in the following years – its turnover in 2020 was more than three times that of previous years and the annual growth rate of sales has averaged 60 percent.

"Thanks to the CIIE, our products are now popular in China, and many Sri Lankan farmers have improved their lives as a result," Prasada said.

Sri Lanka was one of the earliest countries to join the BRI. Over the past decade, the collaboration between China and Sri Lanka has resulted in significant achievements, such as the construction of the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota International Port, both of which have greatly contributed to improving the livelihoods of Sri Lankans.

Prasada (middle) signs contract with a Chinese buyer during the CIIE. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

By Cao Desheng

Yu Honghao from Jiefang Daily contributed to the story