Consul General of Sri Lanka in Shanghai, Pamoda Gooneratne met with Executive Vice President for Overseas Flight Routes and Marketing of China Eastern Airlines, Wan Qingchao to discuss matters pertaining to connectivity and further strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit.
Being the only air connectivity between Colombo and East China, China Eastern Airlines made history as the first Chinese airline to commence flights to Sri Lanka in 2010. Currently operating daily flights with high reservation numbers on this route, the airline has increased its market share among Chinese outbound travellers.
The Consul General welcomed the continuous support extended by the airline, from routine operational protocols to its valued contribution towards increasing Chinese tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka.
Executive Vice President for Overseas Flight Routes and Marketing Wan Qingchao highlighted the airline’s plans to further promote tourism by sponsoring an online social media influencer to produce footage showcasing Sri Lanka’s tourism potential in the Chinese market. The airline also expressed its willingness to support Consulate-initiated FAM tours for Chinese media and tour operators.
Given that the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China is scheduled to be celebrated in 2027, Executive Vice President, Wan Qingchao assured further collaboration with Sri Lanka and invited Sri Lanka to make use of available commercial opportunities. These include possible partnerships within the Shanghai-centered international transport hub, where the airline’s air-ground (rail) intermodal transport system is being developed under China’s regional integration strategy for the Yangtze River Delta. China Eastern Airlines also invited Sri Lanka to utilize its existing logistics network and welcomed inputs to further upgrade its onboard services.
Consul General Pamoda Gooneratne requested China Eastern Airlines to promote market-oriented and competitive tour packages for Chinese travellers, particularly during the Kandy Esala Perahera and upcoming economic fora, including the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026 and Sri Lanka Expo 2027. The Consul General assured the airline of fullest assistance and cooperation in further strengthening the close ties between Sri Lanka and China Eastern Airlines for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The discussion was also attended by Deputy Managing Director, Yang Chunfei and Deputy Head of Market Development, Tao Xiaopeng, representing the Marketing and Sales Department.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Shanghai
18 August 2026
【中文翻译】
深化合作、互利共赢 --- 东航与斯里兰卡共商合作新篇章
斯里兰卡驻上海总领事帕莫达·古纳拉特尼与中国东方航空集团有限公司副总经理万庆朝会面，就互联互通及进一步加强互利合作等事宜进行了探讨。
作为目前科伦坡与华东地区之间唯一直飞航空，东航于2010年成为首家开通斯里兰卡航线的中国航空公司。目前，上海直飞斯里兰卡为每日一班，客座率保持高位，东航在中国出境游客市场的占比亦稳步增长。
总领事对东航长期以来给予的支持表示感谢，不仅在日常运营层面紧密配合，也为提升中国游客赴斯里兰卡旅游人次作出了积极贡献。
东航就进一步促进斯里兰卡旅游推广提出了建设性思路，包括借助新媒体渠道加强线上旅游宣传，东航也表示总领事馆组织中国媒体和旅游业界赴斯里兰卡开展线下考察活动。
鉴于2027年是斯中建交70周年，万庆朝表示东航将进一步深化与斯里兰卡的合作，愿与斯方共享现有商业机遇，包括依托上海国际交通枢纽地位开展合作——东航正结合长三角一体化发展战略推进空铁联运系统建设。此外，斯方亦可借助东航现有物流网络，并为机上服务升级提供宝贵建议。
帕莫达·古纳拉特尼希望东航能在康提佛牙节及10月即将举办的2026年斯里兰卡经济与投资峰会、明年1月的2027年斯里兰卡博览会等重要活动期间，加强中国市场的宣传推广，推出更具吸引力的赴斯航空产品。总领事表示，愿全力配合东航，进一步巩固双方紧密合作，实现互利共赢。
市场营销部副总经理杨纯斐及市场营销部市场发展部副总经理陶晓鹏亦出席了此次会谈。
斯里兰卡驻上海总领事馆 2026年8月18日