Colombo, December 10: Pathfinder Foundation hosted a delegation of researchers from the Academy of Military Sciences (AMS) representing the Institute of Military Legal System Studies (IMLSS), Beijing, at the Riverpoint, headquarters of the Pathfinder Foundation at Peliyagoda and engaged in a constructive discussion on opportunities for collaboration between China and Sri Lanka. AMS is the highest level research institute of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The Chinese delegation included Research Fellows Sr. Col. YANG Zhen, Sr. Col. WANG Yongqiang, Sr. Col. MA Hongwei and Researchers Ms. LI Boyang and Dr. WANG Zheng. Prior to the current visit, Major General LIU Renxian, Political Commissar of the same institute, met with the Pathfinder team in November 2019. The objective of the visit was to renew its relationship whilst exchanging views on subjects of common interest to foster cooperation between the Pathfinder Foundation and the Academy of Military Sciences.
Both sides showed keen interest in exploring important topics during the meeting, including China-Sri Lanka relations in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the comparison of security establishments and military legal systems of the two nations and the approach to creating and operating a successful think-tank such as Pathfinder Foundation.
Chairman of PF, Bernard Goonetilleke, laid in context the Foundation’s work on policy advocacy on economic affairs and its engagement in bilateral economic and political relations with countries around the globe, contributing to better relationships through its track 1.5 initiatives, irrespective of the status of state-to-state relations that tend to change from time to time. He highlighted the Foundation’s advocacy work through its research and publications “The State of the Economy” during the Covid-19 pandemic, “Recommendations for Debt Restructuring and Bridge Financing for Humanitarian Purposes” during the economic crisis and the tripartite study for cooperation between Sri Lanka, India and Japan last year. The Foundation’s focus on Indian Ocean-related matters, including security issues and China’s interest in the Indian Ocean, was also discussed.
Both sides expressed interest in pursuing their relations through joint publications and collaborative initiatives on important areas beneficial to China and Sri Lanka.
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