Chen Siqi vankochensq@163.com “LEARNING Chinese was the turning point in my life. That’s how I got to know China and started our own business,” said Janandi Oshadi Sri Ranasinghe, a Sri Lankan student pursuing a master’s degree in applied economics at the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen (HIT-SZ). With big ambitions, she aims to create an international brand. Story with China begins Ranasinghe’s journey in China began in 2019 when she enrolled in a bachelor’s program for teaching Chinese as a second language — a decision driven by the opportunities she saw in China. At the time, she knew almost nothing about China, aside from a vague impression of it as a vast country. Yet, she embarked on her journey with determination. One amusing anecdote stands out. When she first arrived in China, she ate fried rice with eggs (雞蛋炒飯) for nearly a week because it was the only dish she knew how to order in Chinese. This experience made her realize how important it was to learn the local language. Now, she speaks fluent Chinese, giving her the ability to communicate with suppliers in China. Creating a brand Ranasinghe and her business partner Kavindu Shelum had already conceived the idea of creating their own brand — Sky Mart — by 2019. Starting small, they began selling Chinese digital gadgets on a self-built online platform catering to Sri Lankans. Though the idea was still in its early stages, Ranasinghe and her partner were determined to grow their brand. In 2023, after a short while working in their home country, they returned to China for further education. This time, Ranasinghe shifted her focus to gaining academic knowledge that would help her run a business and chose to study applied economics at HIT-SZ. “I chose Shenzhen because it’s a hub for business. Since I’m already doing business in China, I wanted to improve my skills,” she explained. “This major has helped me a lot — I’ve learned so much about business and economics, which has been important for growth.” Aiming high Since moving to Shenzhen, Ranasinghe and her partner have rapidly expanded their business. Their business model now includes both retail and wholesale, with their customer base extending to Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos, and parts of Africa. Currently, they primarily sell brand new and secondhand digital products, such as smartphones, electronic accessories, and spare motor parts, on their Sky Mart website. She explained that the growing global demand for Chinese products is partly due to their improving quality, which reinforces her commitment to finding business opportunities in China. The business partners aim to expand even further by establishing an international brand called Smart Sky, which will offer a wide range of products, including fashion and clothing. Though they face challenges, such as customs delays and logistical hurdles, the duo remain resilient and always in search of new opportunities. After completing her master’s degree, Ranasinghe plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Shenzhen while continuing to grow her business. | 