“Companero” means a mixture of companion & comrade in Spanish. The Chinese civilization is more than 7400 years & the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) established on October 1^st 1949 shall celebrate 74^th on October 1^st 2023. On every occasion China honoured the other’s sect. With that China increased its own sect & the benefits of the other. China thus proved it’s a “Companero” to global humanity.

There are approx 200 countries in the world. Some are strong while others aren’t. The 2023 G77+China conference (an alliance representing 80% of world's population) was held in Havana, Cuba recently with more than 100 countries being represented. At the sessions China was recognized as the “Companero” of the developing world by the host Cuban leader, UN Secretary-General & all in the union. UNSG recognized the voice of G77+China as "a champion of multilateralism". China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council along with USA, UK, France & Russia. Though none questions why G77+China & not anyone else, the unprecedented changes taking place with the Belt & Road strengthening South-South cooperation shall clear all doubts. If those permanent members who promote unilateralism & hegemonism deviates from such practices, it is certain the global majority will move with them as well.

One good example to prove above is the Yiwu International Trade Market known as the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities. Approx 13,000 KM long rail road connects Yiwu in China with the EU through Central Asia. Chinese leader Xi Jinping visiting Yiwu recently urged all stakeholders in Yiwu to contribute more to expand common prosperity. Yiwu has traded approx 2.75 trillion USD worth during the first half of 2023. During the period foreign trade companies engaged in Yiwu has increased by 6.9% year on year (Ref. Chinese sources).

Far from the peak

Some western analysts try to prove that China has reached its peak. Sri Lankans should ignore these not only because China is far from saturation but because China is working closely with India. It’s a rare economic opportunity to be used at a time SL is seeking to preserve her economic freedom to ensure long term peace & sustainability. It’s not the time for belly landed SL to provoke conflicts especially in the coming months. Chinese vision for win-win economic development with the Belt & Road is the only historically reliable “Companero” for this effort. With such, as a free nation SL can refrain from aligning with power blocks & contribute to free trade & welfare of humanity.

“Forces now are converging that make possible, for the first time, the hope that many of man’s deepest aspirations can at last be realized. The spiraling pace of change allows us to contemplate, within our own life time, advances that once would have taken centuries. In the throwing wide the horizons of space, we have discovered new horizons on earth” – Richard Nixon.

(Views expressed are personal)