Foreign Minister: China will always remain a partner of Maldives

China will always remain a partner in the development of the Maldives and the government wishes to move forward in strengthening the already close ties with the nation, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has said. 

In an interview with Chinese media outlet Xinhua, Foreign Minister Shahid said that the government was prepared to work with China to further the ties between the two nations.

The Minister said that the government would do whatever necessary in order to achieve this and noted the assistance the Maldives received from China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Noting the importance and significance of Chinese infrastructure projects, the Minister noted the economic and social projects by China in the Maldives especially in the housing sector and the bridge project.

The Minister also indicated further projects in collaboration with China in the Maldives once the current projects conclude.

The Minister assured that the centuries-old close ties with China would be furthered beneficially for both sides, before noting that China is the market with the highest number of tourists to the Maldives. The Minister said that the Maldives welcomed Chinese tourists back after the borders of the nation reopened on July 15.