Sri Lanka’s participation at the 10th China-South Asia Exposition in Kunming has reinforced the country’s growing trade relationship with China while providing local exporters with valuable access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
Held from 11 to 16 June at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Yunnan Province, the six-day exposition brought together businesses, investors and policymakers from across Asia and beyond under the theme “Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development.”
The event attracted participants from 68 countries, regions and international organisations, with more than 560 South Asian companies and over 1,500 professional buyers taking part. International buyers accounted for more than 60 per cent of total registrations, underlining the exposition’s significance as a global trade and investment platform.
China’s Vice Commerce Minister Yan Dong noted that trade between China and South Asian countries surpassed US$ 200 billion in 2025, reflecting year-on-year growth of 10.7 per cent. Trade continued its upward trajectory during the first four months of 2026, recording a further increase of 15.8 per cent.
The Sri Lankan pavilion, organised by the Department of Commerce in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Embassy in China, showcased a diverse range of export products and services. These included Ceylon tea, spices, gems and jewellery, coconut-based products, processed foods, handicrafts, wellness products, tourism offerings and innovative consumer goods.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Arun Hemachandra, who attended the exposition, observed that the growing number of Sri Lankan exhibitors each year demonstrates increasing confidence among local businesses in the opportunities available within the Chinese market.
As Sri Lanka seeks to diversify export destinations and strengthen international trade partnerships, the Kunming Expo continues to serve as an important gateway for local enterprises seeking to expand their presence in China and across the wider Asian region.
