Sri Lanka Sets up a Consulate General in Guangzhou as the third Sri Lankan Consulate Office in China

25th January 2012, www.ft.lk

he Government of the People’s Republic of China has given concurrence to Sri Lanka to set up a new Consulate General in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province of Southern China.

Yu Hong, Vice Director General of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China presented the formal agreement giving concurrence to the opening of the Consulate General on 18th January 2012 to Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China Ranjith Uyangoda during a special meeting held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

The Consulate General in Guangzhou will facilitate the expansion of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China in areas of economy, trade and tourism while further strengthening people to people contacts between the two countries. Sri Lanka Government has already appointed a Foreign Service Officer to the position of the Consul General in Guangzhou.

This will be the third Sri Lankan Consulate Office in China, following the establishment of the Consulate General in Shanghai in 2007 and the Consulate in Chengdu in 2009.

Guangzhou, popularly known as Canton, is the main manufacturing hub of the Pearl River Delta and one of China’s key commercial and manufacturing regions. The China Import and Export Fair, also known as the ‘Canton Fair’ is held biannually in Guangzhou. Sri Lanka, with the increased number of companies, continues to participate at this trade fair.

SriLankan Adds Guangzhou, Canton, as Airline's Fourth Destination in China after Beijing, Shanghai & Hong Kong

05th February 2011, www.island.lk

SriLankan Airlines touched down for the first time in Guangzhou (Canton) at 5.25 pm, on Jan. 28, launching their operations to the Chinese city - the airlines’ fourth destination to China.
On arrival, the airline’s delegation on board the inaugural flight was received by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China, Mr. Karunatilake Amunugama and Chinese Aviation officials.

Guangzhou becomes the 50th destination in the national carriers’ worldwide network, which covers 31 countries. Besides Guangzhou, the airline flies to three other cities in China – Beijing, Shanghai and HongKong.

The delegation from SriLankan Airlines that participated in the inaugural ceremonies attended a press conference held at the China Hotel Marriot on January 30th to officially announce the launch of flights to this city.

SriLankans’ management at the press conference, pointed out that Sri- Lanka’s ties with China dated way back in history to the time when the seafarer Fa Hsien visited our country.

Today, China has been taking the lead in some of the largest infrastructure projects in our country, including the Hambantota Port and Katunayake Expressway.

SriLankan Airlines announced that operations to more cities in China with good frequencies will assist in promoting business between the two countries and also promote trade and leisure traffic from China to Sri Lanka.

The press conference was well attended by a cross section of Guangzhou media including their leading print media and TV channels. This was followed by a formal reception and cultural evening organized for Canton travel agents and other dignitaries including the media.

Related Info :
• China Eastern Airlines to Up Frequency to Sri Lanka from Shanghai & Beijing with Increase in Travel between China & Sri Lanka