News & press releases

Maldives and China Holds Official Talks

08 January 2022

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Abdulla Shahid, and the State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Wang Yi, has held extensive bilateral discussions today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the Official Talks, both Foreign Minister Shahid, and State Councilor Wang Yi, discussed a whole host of issues in the bilateral and multilateral spheres, and agreed to work closely together to address shared interests, in further enhancing the close relations between the two countries.

Minister Shahid thanked the State Councilor and the Chinese Government, for the generous assistance it had provided to the Maldives, including the construction of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, the Housing Units in Hulhumale’, and the expansion of the Velana International Airport. Minister Shahid also expressed his gratitude for China’s assistance in providing vaccines and other pandemic related medical supplies to the Maldives, to combat the community spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Foreign Minister Shahid and State Councilor Wang Yi both reiterated that Maldives and China will increase their cooperation both bilaterally, through economic and development cooperation, health cooperation, in international fora such as the United Nations.

State Councilor Wang Yi is presently on an Official Visit to the Maldives, and will also call on His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, during his stay.