Tianjin to provide more economic and technical assistance to Sri Lanka

(April 03, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Fruitful discussions were held with the Mayor of Tianjin, Mr. Huang Xingguo when Ambassador Amunugama paid a courtesy call on the Mayor on 31st March 2009. During this meeting, Ambassador Amunugama highlighted the recent developments in strengthening cooperation with Tianjin and appreciated the support extended by the officers and institutions of Tianjin.
He also elaborated on the relations Sri Lanka maintains with the Tianjin sea port and the Tianjin Medical University. Reiterating on the fact that a sizable amount of goods transport between the two countries is carried out through the Tianjin sea port, the Ambassador stressed on the importance of strengthening Sri Lanka’s cooperation with Tianjin. He also stated that there are over 400 Sri Lankan medical students studying in the Tianjin Medical University and said that these students will be good will ambassadors to build closer relations between Tianjin and Sri Lanka. Further, Ambassador invited Mr. Huang Xingguo, Mayor of Tianjin to visit Sri Lanka stating that he will be received not only by the government officials and business community, but also by the parents of medical students who are studying at the Tianjin Medical University.

Warmly welcoming the Ambassador, Mr. Huang Xingguo, Mayor of Tianjin said “We are more than happy to facilitate educational, cultural and trade promotion activities of Sri Lanka”. He also invited the Ambassador to attend the opening ceremony of the Trade & Investment Fair to be held on 17th and 18th April in Tianjin. Speaking further, he said “We are providing free space to be utilized by the exhibition of EXPO 2010 to re-exhibit materials used for the exhibition. This could be utilized as an attractive tourism promotion venue after the exhibition”. Ambassador appreciated this innovative idea and agreed to participate at the event which would be mutually beneficial to both countries.

The Ambassador also paid a visit to the Tianjin Medical University to meet the Sri Lankan medical students and held discussions with the President and the management of the University. While appreciating the President and his management team for looking after the Sri Lankan students, Ambassador Amunugama brought to the notice of the President the difficulties encountered by the Sri Lankan students due to the recent increase of tuition fee. In response to the Ambassador’s request President Huang agreed to increase the number of scholarships for Sri Lankan students to make the degree program more affordable. The President also agreed to accommodate the request made by the students to increase clinical practice time.

Furthermore, The President agreed to the proposal made by the Ambassador to develop an exchange program between the International Cancer Centre of the Tianjin Medical University and the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition on “Training of Medical Officers of the Cancer Hospital in Sri Lanka”. Under this scheme, 50 medical officers will be given exposure in cancer treatment technologies at the cancer treatment centres during the next five years. Tianjin Medical University will host all local facilities for the training. The International Cancer Centre at the Tianjin Medical University is the oldest and the largest facility for the prevention and treatment of cancer in China.

Tianjin is one of the four municipalities directly under the Central Government of China which is 130 Km southeast of the capital city Beijing. It is the largest business, commercial and financial centre in northern China. The port of Tianjin trades with 160 countries and has established sister city relationships with 44 cities in 32 countries. The Tianjin Medical University is named as one of the key national universities for development in China in the 21st century. Its predecessor, Tianjin Medical college was established in 1951 and it was the first medical university approved by the State Council after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Tianjin Medical University comprise of 17 colleges with 6 university hospitals, 6 clinical colleges and 46 teaching hospitals for the students to practice. The University boasts of over 9000 students of which over 1000 are international students.

The Ambassador also attended a promotional workshop on Sri Lanka and SriLankan AirLines organized by Golden Bridge Travel Services which was held at Sheraton Hotel and persuaded tourism promotion agents to attract more Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka.

-Sri Lanka Guardian