Sri Lanka and China Agree to Establish Joint Research Centre and Culinary Academy

Sri Lanka and China have reached an agreement to establish a joint research centre and a culinary academy to strengthen cooperation in tourism education and industry development.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe recently undertook an official visit to Sichuan Tourism College in Sichuan, where discussions were held under the Belt and Road Initiative framework to enhance bilateral relations in tourism education, cultural exchange, and industry development.

During talks with Deputy Party Secretary and President of the college Wang Chuan, both sides focused on developing tourism sector skills, promoting joint research, and strengthening vocational training.

Key agreements reached include the establishment of a Chinese Sichuan Cuisine Academy, a China–Sri Lanka Joint Research Centre for mountain tourism, and the launch of a China–Sri Lanka cultural tourism cooperation platform. The two parties also agreed to develop an innovation service research centre for the hospitality sector and to expand opportunities for Sri Lankan students under the “Study at Sichuan Tourism College” programme.

These initiatives are expected to further deepen educational and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and China while supporting the growth of the tourism industry.