The Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Wang Lixin, highlighted the growth of Maldives-China relations during the “China and Maldives: A Decade of Friendship Towards One Shared Future” symposium held on October 31. Hosted jointly by the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives and the Maldives China Trade and Cultural Organisation, the event brought together key officials and representatives from both countries.
Among the attendees were Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheryna Abdul Samad, Minister of State for Economic Development and Trade Abdulla Siyaz, senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure, as well as representatives from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), members of parliament, scholars, and business representatives from Chinese enterprises.
In her remarks, Ambassador Wang noted that the symposium coincided with the tenth anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Maldives, a milestone that has contributed to deepening relations between the two nations. She emphasised that over the past decade, political mutual trust between China and the Maldives has strengthened, with an increasing focus on sustainable development as a guiding theme of their cooperation.
The ambassador further acknowledged that friendly exchanges and cultural interactions have helped enhance bilateral ties. Ambassador Wang expressed China’s commitment to working with the Maldives on agreed initiatives, aiming to expand collaboration across political, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges.
Reflecting on recent developments, government officials and attendees pointed to President Xi’s 2014 visit as a turning point in Maldives-China relations, fostering cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, tourism, and trade. In January, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to China opened further opportunities for collaboration between the two countries, with a view to supporting economic development in the Maldives.
Maldives-China relations, established in 1972, have evolved steadily over the decades. The relationship has been characterised by shared interests in development and investment. In recent years, cooperation has extended into various sectors, including infrastructure projects supported by Chinese enterprises and increased tourism between the two nations.
As the Maldives continues to explore partnerships aligned with its development goals, officials have voiced optimism about benefiting from China’s modernisation initiatives. Both countries expressed an interest in further deepening cooperation in fields that support mutual growth and understanding, setting the stage for continued collaboration.
