Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy attends 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in China

The Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake attended the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in China. The symposium was held from 21st to 24th April 2024 in the port city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province.

Delegates from 29 nations assembled for this year's gathering, which featured a high-level symposium focused on the theme of "Oceans with a Shared Future." Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the event and delivered a key address. In his address, Zhang Youxia said that China's armed forces have actively participated in international cooperation of maritime security and provided maritime public security goods, adding that China will play a more positive and open role in international military cooperation.

On the sidelines of the symposium, Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake called on Admiral Yuan Huazhi, Political Commissioner of People's Liberation Army Navy and held cordial discussions on several matters of bilateral importance.

Participating in naval symposiums with regional and extra-regional maritime stakeholders will enhance the Sri Lanka Navy's ability to contribute more effectively to collective operations. This includes combating illegal activities and non-traditional maritime threats, ultimately ensuring the safety of navigation in the ocean region.