Abstract:
In the evolving landscape of China-Sri Lanka relations, cultural cooperation has emerged as
a crucial dimension of bilateral engagement. Educational exchanges, media representations,
and institutional collaborations such as Confucius Institutes have intensified transnational encounters,
particularly among Sri Lankan youth. Using a sociological lens and secondary data
analysis, this study explores how these cultural exchanges shape youth identity and meaningmaking
within Sri Lanka’s postcolonial context. Drawing on Stuart Hall’s theory of cultural
identity, Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital, and Appadurai’s notion of global cultural flows,
it critically examines relevant literature, institutional reports, and public discourses on China-Sri
Lanka cultural cooperation. The analysis reveals how Chinese cultural elements are represented,
consumed, and negotiated by Sri Lankan youth, giving rise to hybrid identities and new social
aspirations. The study argues that youth engagement with Chinese culture is influenced not only
by curiosity but also by structural forces such as education, class, and globalization. Ultimately,
it contributes to a deeper understanding of cultural diplomacy and soft power by emphasizing
the importance of youth as active agents in shaping intercultural relations and highlighting the
need for inclusive exchange frameworks that foster mutual respect and genuine dialogue between
the two nations.
