Signing of Rubber-Rice Pact commemorated:

China upholds SL’s sovereignty

The Chinese government will always support Sri Lanka's efforts to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity and help Sri Lanka to develop its economy and improve the living standards of the people, said Chinese embassy Chargé d'Affaires Faqiang Ren when he with young Chinese diplomats visited the residence of former Trade and Commerce Minister late R. G. Senanayake recently to commemorate the signing of the barter agreement and recognize his contribution towards Sri Lanka-China friendly relations.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the historic Rubber-Rice Pact between Sri Lanka and China.

The Chargé d'Affaires said that Sri Lanka extended diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China in January 1950. In December 1952, regardless of Western pressure of imposing a ban on the supply of strategic materials, such as, rubber to China, Sri Lanka signed the Rubber-Rice Pact with China before establishing diplomatic relations, which was the first trade agreement signed by China with a non-communist country. The five-year trading agreement was extended six times until 1982, laying a solid foundation for China-Sri Lanka economic cooperation. Late Minister Senanayake played a key role in making the agreement possible. His vision, courage and far-sightedness will be always remembered by the Chinese people, he said.

Chargé d'Affaires Ren also said that China and Sri Lanka are good neighbours, good partners and good friends.

Mrs. Senanayake, daughter-in-law of the late minister, welcomed the Chinese guests and thanked them for visiting her home and pay tribute to late R.G. Senanayake. She briefed Chinese guests on the late minister's historic visit to new China in December 1952 and showed valuable photos of the visit. She also presented a biography of the late minister to them. Mrs. Senanayake particularly mentioned the diplomats that an old Chinese wooden walking stick carefully hanged on the wall of the parlour. The story is that one day in Beijing, Minister Senanayake couldn't find his walking stick at the hotel where he stayed, his Chinese host bought immediately a beautiful Chinese one for him which his family kept for nearly 60 years. On the hand stick, there are over 20 Chinese characters with one meaning Longevity, showing the good wishes of the Chinese. The 60-year old walking stick witnesses the important part of history and is a symbol of friendship of the two countries

Chinese Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Ren expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Senanayake for meeting him and the young Chinese diplomats and sharing the photos and stories of her family.

Young diplomats of the embassy viewed the visit to late Minister R. G. Senanayake's residence a good opportunity to have a better understanding of the history of China-Sri Lanka friendship and encouragement to make their efforts to push forward the friendly cooperative ties.

The Rubber-Rice Pact between Sri Lanka and China was signed on December 17, 1952 by then Trade and Commerce Minister late R. G. Senanayake and his Chinese counterpart. Then Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai was also present at the singing ceremony in Beijing.