President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, has assured assistance to the Maldives development plan formed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
President Muizzu met with President Xi yesterday during his first state visit to China and held official talks between the two countries.
During the meeting, President Xi assured of "high-quality" cooperation under the Belt and Road.
He highlighted the need to further expand cooperation between the two countries in a wide range of areas, including economy, trade, investment, digital, and green economy.
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President Xi also said that, in addition to providing more opportunities for Maldivian students to pursue higher education in China, the Chinese government's support will be extended to increase direct flights between China and the Maldives.
During the meeting, President Muizzu noted that China becoming the first country where he made a state visit after coming to power was a symbol of the close ties between the two countries.
Reiterating the Maldives' continued support for the 'One China Policy,' he highlighted projects such as the Sinamalé Bridge under the Belt and Road.
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President Muizzu said that he hoped that the two countries would work together in new areas and take their bilateral relations to a higher level under the Belt and Road.
After the meeting, key agreements were signed between the Maldives and China to cooperate in 20 different areas.
The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed yesterday include Belt and Road cooperation and Blue Partnership, carbon reduction, and blue economic cooperation.
The two countries also signed a MoU on disaster reduction, green development, digital sector development, social housing, and airport development.
President Dr. Muizzu arrived in China on Monday along with a high-level delegation from the Maldives Government. He first visited Fujian province, where he inaugurated an investment forum organized by the Maldives.
At the forum, President Muizzu presented a number of projects to China, including the expansion of RasMalé and Velana International Airport, and the construction of a port in Thilafushi.
President Muizzu had also invited China to become the country's most important development partner.