Kunming Expo has reaffirmed its position as a strategic gateway for Sri Lankan exporters seeking greater access to China’s vast consumer market, while creating new opportunities for trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Kunming Expo strengthens Sri Lankan exporters’ access to China’s vast consumer market
Held from 11 to 16 June at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Yunnan Province, the 10th China-South Asia Exposition attracted participants from 68 countries, regions and international organisations. Organised under the theme “Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development,” the six-day exhibition brought together more than 560 South Asian companies and over 1,500 professional buyers, with international buyers accounting for more than 60 percent of registrations.
The event highlighted China’s growing engagement with South Asia as regional trade and connectivity continue to expand. According to Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Yan Dong, trade between China and South Asian countries exceeded US$200 billion in 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 10.7 percent. During the first four months of 2026, bilateral trade increased by a further 15.8 percent.
Sri Lanka showcased a diverse range of products through a national pavilion organised by the Department of Commerce in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Embassy in China. Exhibits included Ceylon tea, gems and jewellery, spices, coconut-based products, processed foods, handicrafts, wellness products, tourism services and innovative consumer goods, demonstrating the country’s expanding export portfolio.
Deputy Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Arun Hemachandra said the increasing participation of Sri Lankan exporters each year reflects growing confidence in opportunities available in the Chinese market.
“When compared with last year, we have seen an increase in the number of Sri Lankan booths and exhibitors. This trend is likely to continue because businesses see real opportunities here,” he said.
Hemachandra described Yunnan Province as a strategic entry point for Sri Lankan exports, citing its geographical proximity and direct air connectivity.
“We see Yunnan as a gateway through which Sri Lankan products can enter the Chinese market,” he said, adding that stronger people-to-people ties developed through the Expo have complemented government-level cooperation over the past decade.
One of the most significant outcomes of this year’s Expo was the agreement in principle by Yunnan provincial authorities to provide a 2,000-square-metre warehouse facility free of charge for Sri Lankan exporters.
Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the logistics hub would help address long-standing distribution challenges faced by exporters entering China.
The proposed facility will enable Sri Lankan businesses to store products in Kunming before distributing them through China’s rapidly expanding e-commerce platforms, reducing logistics costs while improving market access and delivery efficiency.
The initiative is expected to benefit exporters across multiple sectors, including tea, spices, coconut-based products, wellness products and processed foods, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to establish a stronger presence in China.
Officials noted that while Sri Lanka cannot compete with China on production volume, it possesses a competitive advantage through premium, high-quality products with unique characteristics.
The country’s internationally recognised Ceylon tea exports continue to attract strong interest from Chinese buyers. Lion’s Ceylon Tea Managing Director Shiran Gunawardena, who has participated in the Kunming Expo for the past decade, said the exhibition provides an important platform for SMEs looking to enter international markets.
He encouraged more Sri Lankan tea exporters to participate in trade exhibitions across China, pointing to growing consumer demand for premium Ceylon tea.
Beyond tea, exporters are increasingly promoting value-added coconut products, spices, herbal wellness products, processed foods and specialised agricultural products to diversify Sri Lanka’s export basket.
Natural vanilla also attracted significant attention during the Expo. Ceylon Vanilla Chief Executive Officer Kaushan Manawadu described vanilla as the “Green Gold” and the “Queen of Spices,” highlighting its strong export potential as global demand for natural and sustainable ingredients continues to grow.
He noted that participation in international exhibitions such as the China South Asia Exposition enables producers to secure new buyers, establish long-term partnerships and strengthen overseas market access despite production challenges.
The Expo also provided a platform to promote Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Traditional mask makers and wood carving artisans showcased authentic Sri Lankan craftsmanship, attracting interest from Chinese visitors while creating opportunities for niche cultural exports.
Tourism emerged as another important area of cooperation. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, China has re-established itself as one of Sri Lanka’s leading tourism source markets, with the country targeting 300,000 Chinese visitors through expanded promotional campaigns, stronger travel partnerships and improved connectivity.
Officials believe the Kunming Expo has evolved beyond a traditional trade exhibition into a comprehensive platform supporting exports, investment, tourism and cultural cooperation. As Sri Lanka and China’s Yunnan Province continue to deepen economic ties, the Expo is expected to play an increasingly important role in helping Sri Lankan businesses access one of the world’s largest consumer markets while strengthening long-term bilateral relations.