Cultural exchange and identity negotiation among Sri Lankan youth: A Sociological perspective on China-Sri Lanka relations

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.