Chinese Foreign Ministry said President Xi Jinping was set to visit Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka upon conclusion of the 14th council meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He is set to depart for Kazakhstan to attend the meeting on Thursday. The Chinese president had accepted President Yameen’s invitation to visit Maldives, during his official visit to China last August. During discussion held between the two leaders, Xi had noted that Maldives was one of the most important countries to China from all South Asian countries and that he was glad to have been provided with the opportunity to take the age old friendship between China and Maldives to new heights. The trip was described by government officials as very successful with the Chinese government pledging 100 million Yuan (approximately MVR 250 million) in free financial aid and pledging to cover a huge part of the cost for the Male’-Hulhule’ Bridge Project. President Yameen had also met with Chinese businessmen who had expressed interest in investing in Maldives. A memorandum of understanding was signed recently between major Chinese construction company Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) and the Maldives government to build the new runway in Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA). Chinese government corporations had also expressed interest in investing in the Special Economic Zones being established in Maldives. A joint economic committee has been established to facilitate economic activities between the two countries.