The three-page letter claims that recent media articles have made speculative and defamatory allegations about BYD, including technical misrepresentations, customs irregularities, and tax fraud. It states that such reporting has damaged the reputations of both BYD and the Chinese government and has undermined the longstanding trust between China and Sri Lanka.

The letter allegedly warns media organizations to refrain from publishing further “biased or unverified content” about Chinese enterprises and even threatens potential legal action for defamation. It also claims that the Chinese Embassy requested the Sri Lankan Ministry of Mass Media to issue guidance to media outlets to ensure professional and respectful reporting on Chinese businesses.

However, no mainstream media outlet in Sri Lanka has confirmed receiving such a letter, and the contents have not been reported or verified by any credible news source.

When contacted by FactSeeker, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo firmly denied the authenticity of the letter, calling it entirely fabricated. The Embassy clarified that no such communication had been issued to the media and emphasized that it maintains friendly and cooperative relationships with Sri Lanka’s media outlets across all three languages.

If such a letter had in fact been issued, it would likely have drawn immediate public attention and scrutiny from the media. The absence of any such response further raises doubts about the letter’s authenticity.

Conclusion: The claim that the Chinese Embassy sent a threatening letter to Sri Lankan media outlets is false. The Embassy has categorically denied issuing such a letter, and no evidence supports the claim circulating on social media.