Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in talks with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu during his five-day state visit to China, receiving a red carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute. The discussions took place amid a diplomatic dispute with India over derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While the details of the talks were not disclosed, Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, is expected to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other senior officials during his visit. This diplomatic visit follows derogatory social media posts by Maldivian ministers, resulting in the cancellation of Indian tourist reservations, a significant portion of the tourism-dependent Maldivian economy.
In a speech to the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province, Muizzu urged China to increase efforts to attract more tourists from the country. Despite the ongoing row with India, Muizzu expressed his government's commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, initiated by President Xi in 2014, describing them as the most significant infrastructure projects in Maldivian history.
Muizzu emphasized the close ties between China and the Maldives, praising the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2014. Although the FTA was not implemented during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, Muizzu affirmed his commitment to its quick implementation, citing its importance in boosting bilateral trade and investments.
At the Maldives Investment Forum, Muizzu sought investments from Chinese companies for 11 projects, underlining the significance of Chinese-Maldivian economic cooperation. China-Maldives bilateral trade in 2022 amounted to USD 451.29 million, with China's exports constituting the majority.
The state visit aims to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between China and the Maldives despite the recent tensions with India, reflecting the strategic importance of the region in international relations.
(With Agency Inputs)
