On December 9, 2017 local time, The joint venture of Hambantota Port between China Merchants Port Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority began operations. China Merchants Group Executive Vice President Hu Jianhua attends the ceremony and delivers a theme speech.

Sri Lanka Premier Ranil Wickramasinghe speaks highly of the investment of China Merchants Group and expresses gratitude to the support of China. Hu Jianhua says that we have confidence to build the port into an international shipping hub linking South Asia with Africa. China Merchants Group and Sri Lanka will create shared prosperities.