The seventh meeting of the Joint Meeting Mechanism to Deal with the Issue of Safety of Chinese Tourists in the Maldives was held in Malé, bringing together officials and industry stakeholders to review safety standards and coordination measures linked to Chinese visitor arrivals.
The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheryna Abdul Samad, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Maldives Kong Xianhua, and Minister of State for Tourism and Environment Dr Abdulla Niyaz. Participants included representatives from government ministries, security agencies, healthcare institutions, aviation and transport companies, tourism associations, disaster management bodies, humanitarian organisations, and insurance providers, reflecting a broad, multi-stakeholder approach to visitor safety.
In her opening remarks, State Minister Sheryna highlighted the longstanding partnership between the Maldives and China, noting that tourism remains a central element of bilateral cooperation. She said China continues to be the Maldives’ largest source market, with more than 320,000 Chinese visitors recorded so far this year, a figure she said reflects a high level of confidence among Chinese travellers.
The State Minister pointed to the need for stronger preventive measures, stricter enforcement of safety standards, and closer coordination across government agencies and the tourism industry. Particular attention was drawn to safety practices related to water-based activities at tourism facilities. She called for the Joint Meeting Mechanism to function as a more results-focused platform, with clear responsibilities, accountability, and time-bound actions.
Sheryna said ensuring visitor safety is a shared responsibility of government authorities, tourism operators, and partners in China. She highlighted the importance of cooperation in areas such as regulation, inspections, traveller awareness, and insurance coverage, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reforms aimed at safeguarding Chinese visitors to the Maldives.
Ambassador Kong Xianhua thanked the Maldivian government for its continued cooperation and efforts to protect Chinese tourists, noting the value of sustained engagement through the joint mechanism.
Looking ahead, State Minister Sheryna said the Maldives is working with the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Tourism to organise a ministerial-level forum on tourism cooperation next year. The proposed forum is expected to address safety and security issues while also covering wider areas such as investment and tourism promotion.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to implement practical measures, strengthen safety awareness, and maintain a secure and welcoming environment for Chinese tourists.
The Joint Meeting Mechanism was established in 2014 as a bilateral platform to bring together key tourism stakeholders. It is held annually to review the implementation of safety protocols, improve inter-agency coordination, and identify policy gaps requiring attention.
