Ambassador: China ready to work with Maldives to accelerate GDI projects

China welcomes the participation of the Maldives in the Group of Friends of the GDI, and is ready to work with the Maldives to accelerate implementation of the projects of GDI Project Pool to benefit the two peoples, says Beijing’s top diplomat in Male’.

Wang Lixin, the Chinese ambassador to Maldives, made the remark in a statement on Tuesday entitled ‘Join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind to deliver a better future for the world’.

The Global Development Initiative (GDI), is a global initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2021, rooted in China’s vision for building a global community of a shared future for mankind. The Group of Friends of the GDI was established at the United Nations, the next year.

The GDI, along with the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), seek to address common challenges and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive future – with Belt and Road cooperation treated as the platform for action.

In her statement, Wang reiterated that Maldives is “a traditional friendly neighbor and an important development partner of China”.

Back in January, during Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to Beijing at the invitation of Chinese President Xi, the two sides agree to focus on pursuing BR cooperation, in the efforts to better synergize their development strategies, fully implement the GDI, and further enhance the level and quality of cooperation, and strengthen practical cooperation in green development, digital economy, blue economy and other fields, to achieve mutual benefit and common development.

Wang said it opened up “new and broad prospects for the development of our bilateral relations.”

“The Chinese side welcomes the participation of the Maldives in the Group of Friends of the GDI, and is ready to work with the Maldives to accelerate implementation of the projects of GDI Project Pool to benefit the two peoples,” she said.

According to Wang, China has signed more than 200 BRI cooperation documents with over 150 countries and 30 international organizations.

“The BRI has established more than 3,000 cooperation projects and galvanized nearly US$1 trillion of investment, created over 420 thousand jobs, lifted 40 million people out of poverty, and created an array of national landmarks such as the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge,” she said.

“The GDI, GSI and GCI proposed by President Xi Jinping have taken roots and borne fruits. Global Development Project Pool now has nearly 200 practical cooperation projects.”

She named the China-mediated restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023 as a living example of the implementation of the GSI, and one that set off a “wave of reconciliation” across the Middle East.

Wang said that the vision for building a global community of shared future for mankind has a broad prospect.

“More and more countries have come to the understanding that the future of the world is determined by all, international rules are written by all, global affairs are governed by all, the fruits of development are shared by all, and building a community of shared future for mankind is the only future for humanity on this planet,” she said, adding that it also requires a generational effort.

Wang ended her statement by referring to an ancient Chinese proverb: “One should be good at finding the laws of things and solving problems”.

“China is ready to work hand in hand with all countries including the Maldives to advance the great cause of building a community of shared future for mankind and deliver a better future for the world,” she said.