In mid-October, the 2015 "Understanding and Cooperation" dialogue event co-sponsored by the China International Association for Relations and the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association ("China-Slovenia Friendship Association") and co-sponsored by the China Peace and Development Foundation was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The main activities of the event included the Sri Lanka National Youth Student Speech Contest and the Sino-Sri Lankan Civil Society Friendly Symposium.

 Founded in 1950, Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association is the most influential Yuhua Group in China. It has been actively engaged in the development of friendly relations between China and Slovakia and is one of the important partners of China International Exchange Association in Sri Lanka. During the visit to Sri Lanka in 2014, the delegation of the exchange association proposed proposing the “Belt and Road” strategy and the promotion of Sino-Sri Lankan cultural exchanges in cooperation with the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association in Colombo to organize the “Interpretation and Cooperation” dialogue activity in 2015, and received a positive response from each other. In order to enhance the understanding and participation of all walks of life, especially the younger generation, in constructing the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, the organizers have carefully designed the Young Student Speech Competition with the theme of “21st Century Maritime Silk Road for Human Development”. There are three languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English. The preliminary, semi-final and final stages are set. Students from Chinese and higher education institutions from all major provinces and municipalities in Sri Lanka were enthusiastically enrolled. A total of 575 students were eligible to participate. After nearly 2 months of fierce competition, 18 players entered the final round. The Slovenian side attaches great importance to this speech contest. The Ministry of Education serves as the support unit for the event. Sri Lankan State Television broadcasts the finals of the speech contest. Many mainstream media have reported on the activities and they are among the Sri Lankan public, especially young students. This led to an upsurge in the discussion of the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”.

 In order to further expand the influence of the speech contest, the China International Association for Friendship and Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association jointly organized a press briefing on the afternoon of October 15. More than 40 media members and some Chinese journalists based in Sri Lanka attended the news briefing. Chairman of Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association Gu Natirak, Secretary-General Sumathi and Deputy Secretary-General of the Exchange Association Liu Kaiyang introduced the background, preparation process and progress of the speech contest, and answered questions from on-site reporters. Deputy Secretary-General Liu Kaiyang expressed his appreciation for the wide attention and active participation of all walks of life in the speech contest. He hoped that this event will enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples and promote the development of bilateral relations. Somathi, secretary-general of Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association, said that the enthusiastic response of young students to the game exceeded expectations and was touched. After the two students from the remote mountain school in Sibian were selected for the finals, the teachers and students of the school spontaneously prayed and cheered for the players according to traditional ceremonies. The speech contest jointly organized by the two associations is not only a window for the younger generation to understand China, but also an important platform for promoting mutual exchanges and friendship between students across the country, especially Sinhala and Tamil youth.

 On the afternoon of October 17, the final of the English group was held on the National Television Station of Sri Lanka. With the warm opening of the host and the enthusiastic applause of more than a hundred people on the spot, the players made their appearance in the school uniform. In a short period of 3 minutes, each player explained their views and opinions on "Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road" from different angles of politics, economy and culture. They believe that China’s economic development has created great attraction for countries along the “Belt and Road” line, including Sri Lanka. Participation in the construction of the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” will not only stimulate the economic domestic demand of neighboring countries such as Sri Lanka, but also improve people’s livelihood. It will also help strengthen the cohesion and centripetal force of countries along the route, build peace, trust and friendship on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win results, and ultimately realize the important goal of common development of mankind. The wonderful performance of the players won applause and cheers from the audience. Most of the judges were lecturers, think tank scholars or well-known media personnel from key universities in Sri Lanka. They were humorous and full of care and encouragement for the players’ on-site comments.

 After the game, a simple and grand award ceremony was held. After serious and serious selection, a total of 27 players won the first, second and third prizes in three languages: Sinhalese, Tamil and English. Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Vice Chairman of the Association of Exchanges Zhang Baowen, Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Jaya Surya, Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang, Vice President of the Exchange Association Ai Ping, Secretary-General of the China International Exchange Association Ni Jian, Part of the Sri Lankan Government Officials and representatives from Chinese and Sri Lankan companies attended the ceremony. Vice Chairman Zhang Baowen personally awarded certificates and prizes to winners of the Sinhalese first prize.

 On the afternoon of the same day, the China International Exchange Association held a friendship forum between China and Sri Lanka. Vice Chairman Zhang Baowen, Ambassador Yi Xianliang, Vice President Yi Ping and Secretary General Ni Jian attended the meeting, and was chaired by Deputy Secretary-General Liu Kaiyang. Chairman of Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association Gunatilar, Kadigama Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies Pandita Ratna, Executive Director of the Sri Lanka Policy Institute Kragema, Pathfinder Foundation Executive Director Sivad Chairman of the Nasdaq-Sino-China Business Council, Abessecla, spoke successively, from the Sri Lanka-China Association for Social and Cultural Cooperation, the Sri Lanka-China Association, the Sri Lanka-China Journalists’ Forum, the Sri Lanka-China Chamber of Commerce, the China-Sino Business Cooperation Committee, and the Sri Lanka-China Trade and Investment Commission. The conference promoted representatives from major civil society organizations, think tanks and business communities in the country. China and Slovakia conducted in-depth discussions on how to fully promote non-governmental exchanges and promote the development of China-Sri Lanka relations. The Sri Lankan side stated that Sri Lanka and China have maintained friendly relations for a long time under the guidance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and the Sri Lanka-China friendship is deeply rooted in Sri Lanka. Proposing the strategic concept of "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" has both profound historical origins and important practical significance for deepening Sino-Sino relations. Sri Lanka is willing to take full advantage of its rich resources and geographical advantages to actively participate in the construction of the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. Vice Chairman Zhang Baowen stated that China-Slovakia friendship has a long history and it is hoped that China-Slovakia friendship groups and individuals will make joint efforts to give full play to the role of the people and take the opportunity of jointly building the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" to enhance trust and friendship between the two peoples. To further promote the development of China-Sri Lanka relations.

 As a civil forum established by the China Association for International Exchange, the “comprehension and cooperation” dialogue activity in 2015 was a grand event of humanities exchange between China and Sri Lanka this year. It was also a further beneficial attempt to enhance understanding between China and Sri Lanka from a folk diplomacy perspective, deepening friendship and expanding consensus. Promote cooperation.