Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has highlighted the commitment of the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed in developing the tourism industry. The foreign minister made the remarks while speaking at the Third Meeting of the Joint Meeting Mechanism to deal with the issue of safety of Chinese tourists in Maldives held at Sheraton Full Moon Resort.
Foreign Minister Shahid was joined by Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed and Ambassador of China in Maldives Zhang Lizhong, co-chair of the Joint Meeting. As a follow-up on the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the two countries during the visit of President Xi Jinping to Maldives in September 2014, the Joint Meeting was held to discuss on the issue of safety of Chinese tourists in Maldives.
In his opening remarks, Minister Shahid noted the importance of such a platform to identify the major problems and countermeasures which allows both sides to further strengthen the communication and coordination regarding the safety of Chinese tourists in Maldives. He further noted the positive result the mechanism has brought. He also noted people-to-people contact remains a key element of the bilateral relationship between Maldives and China.
Meanwhile, Minister Ali Waheed also highlighted on the main initiatives planned ahead and also about the strategic plan for the tourism industry. He assured full support and cooperation in providing a safe and sound environment to tourists visiting Maldives.
Ambassador Zhang Lizhong thanked the Government of Maldives for the coordination and cooperation extended in ensuring a safe environment to the Chinese tourists in the Maldives. He assured the mechanism will strengthen the joint efforts by both countries in securing a safe environment to the Chinese tourists in Maldives.
The Agreed Minutes of the Meeting was signed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and Ambassador Zhang Lizhong.
The Joint Meeting was attended by senior officials from Embassy of China in Maldives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health, Department of Immigration, Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defence Force, Maldives Airports Company Limited, Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and key stakeholders.