Ambassador Yi was sepaking at the Colombo International Nautical & Engineering College (CINEC) Convocation 2015 jointly organized with China Dalian Maritime University (DMU).

Responsibly speaking, Yi stressed that the fundamentals of Chinese economy remain stable with huge potentials. Although facing downward pressure, it maintains within proper range and management. China is not the source of crisis but driving force for global economy. In this first half year, China achieved 7% of growth of its economy and contributed about 30% for growth of the world economy. In this August, tourists from China to Sri Lanka reach 24,734 with an increase of 73.3%, which is an example that Chinese people are optimistic about Chinese economic development. The debt of Chinese central government takes only 20% of its GDP while the number reaches 88% for Sri Lanka and 103% for US, showing that Chinese economy is healthy and sustainable. ”

Ambassador Yi indicated, he had expressed several times that China would like to assist and cooperate with Sri Lanka in economic development including maritime economy of which there should be of great potentials, when he exchanged views with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wichremesinghe. Human resources would be the priority issue to boost the economic development. In the past 10 years, China has trained over 10,000 Sri Lankan in total in fields of science, management, culture and technology. In the first half of year 2015, more than 1,000 Sri Lankan people were granted opportunity for training or study in China under the sponsorship of Chinese government.

Yi also expressed heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the graduates and their families.