Chinese Ambassador: Foreign Minister’s visit strengthened China-Maldives ties

Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Wang Lixin, has stated that China’s State Councilor, Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to the Maldives has further strengthened the longstanding ties established between China and Maldives.

In a written statement released today, Ambassador Wang stated that Wang Yi’s visit has “expanded practical cooperation, deepened traditional friendship and created the future, starting a new journey for China-Maldives relations.”

Ambassador Wang summarized the achievements and significance of the visit in five important points.

• ‘One important visit’: She said that Wang Yi’s visit is that of importance at the beginning of the 50^th anniversary of China-Maldives diplomatic relations, and an important high-level visit from the Chinese side in recent years that is significant for future development of bilateral relations.
• ‘Two major goals’: Ambassador Wang said that two main goals were achieved during Wang Yi’s visit; that is to review and summarize the important achievements and experience of bilateral relations over the past 50 years and to draw a blueprint for the future development of China-Maldives relations.
• ‘Three important messages’: She stressed that the visit sent three important messages; one being that China has always upheld that all nations, big and small, are equal, and have always supported the Maldives in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, pursuing an independent foreign policy and that Maldives firmly upholds the one-China principle, and firmly supports China on issues of core interests. The second message she states is that China supports Maldives in speeding up its socio-economic construction and enhancing the capability of independent development. The third message she highlights is that China and Maldives should take a broader view and open up a new chapter of mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation in light of the historical point of the 50^th anniversary since establishment of diplomatic relations.

• ‘Four key directions for future cooperation between the two countries’: Ambassador Wang says that the visit has specified four key directions for future cooperation between the two countries; first being fighting against the pandemic for a complete victory, second being to continue to build the Belt and Road with high quality, accelerating cooperation on key projects and tourism, and promote the ratification and taking effect of China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement at an early date, so as to offer impetus to the Maldives’ post-pandemic economic recovery, third being to expand cooperation with the Maldives in emerging fields such as communication, digitization, and marine economy and back its efforts for the strategy of diversified development and fourth being to strengthen coordination in international affairs and safeguard the international system centered on the UN.
• ‘Five cooperation documents signed’: She noted that five key agreements were signed between the two countries during the visit. They include agreements pertaining to the provision of MVR 968.3 million in grant aid, maintenance of Sinamale’ bridge, a project for the establishment of additional outlets for seawater desalination in five islands and services of an Ophthalmic Center.

In concluding her statement, Ambassador Wang reiterated China’s commitment to work together with the Maldivian side to implement the important consensus and results of the visit and take the 50th anniversary of China-Maldives diplomatic relations as an opportunity to promote the future-oriented, all-round friendly and cooperative partnership to a new high, opening up a brighter and better future of China-Maldives relations.