Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Fukang said on Wednesday with the care of both heads of state and joint efforts from both sides, China-Maldives all-around friendly and cooperative partnership entered into a new chapter and made great achievements in the past year.
The Ambassador made the remarks at the 2017 Media Briefing and Reception held at the Chinese Embassy in Male’.
“Friendly exchange between our two sides continued to be intensified, political cooperation pushed forward, bringing substantial benefits to both peoples,” Ambassador Fukang said. "On the political front, mutual trust between China and Maldives has been upgraded. H.E. Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, Speaker of People’s Majlis, paid an official visit to China and had conference with Chinese leaders. He also attended the 4th China-South Asia Expo as the special envoy of President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom and reached important consensus regarding the consolidation and development of our bilateral ties.”
Speaking about economic cooperation, the Ambassador noted that China has initiated multiple projects in the Maldives in the past year, of which some have been successfully completed. “Both sides successfully concluded the fourth round of China Maldives FTA negotiations and China-aided infrastructure projects are going on smoothly,” he said. “Laamu Atoll link road has been delivered to use. 25 percent of the construction of China-Maldives Friendship bridge project has been completed. The expansion and upgrading project of Velana International Airport is progressing smoothly," he added.
He also said: “China supports President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's effort to restructure the country's economy,” noting that the “Maldives is actively working with China to jointly build upon Belt and Road Initiative, to align the initiative of our strategies and connect our countries.”
China is one of the major development partners of the Maldives.
“The year 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Maldives and both countries have set up a model of relationship between a big country and a small featuring equal treatment and mutual benefits, the Ambassador said, adding that “the Chinese Embassy is willing to work wholeheartedly and seize the historical moment of the 45th anniversary to bring up the China-Maldives relationship to a higher stage.”