By: H.E. Zhang Lizhong Chinese Ambassador to Maldives
October 14th, 2018 marks the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Maldives. Over the past 46 years, China and Maldives, on the basis of principles of equality, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, have witnessed the consolidated traditional friendship and deepened cooperation of mutual benefit. We have set a model of friendship and cooperation between countries regardless of big or small.
The leaders of our two countries have given guidance and laid foundation for the development of friendly relations. In 2013, President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative. In September 2014, President Xi paid a historical state visit to Maldives. The two sides decided to establish the China-Maldives Future-Oriented All-round Friendly and Cooperative Partnership and conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields within the Framework of Jointly Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, ushering the bilateral relations into a new era. During the return visit by President Yameen in 2017, the two sides reached a series of consensus on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative and deepening practical cooperation, and signed multiple cooperation agreements.
Driven by the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields within the framework of Belt and Road Initiative, China-Maldives friendship is now on the fast track of development with considerable progress in the current stage. On August 30th, 2018, the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge with China Aid was officially inaugurated. The dream of Maldivian people for generations finally came true. The inauguration of the Bridge is of great significance, highlighting a latest achievement of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative and a new symbol of time-honored friendship between the two countries. In September, 2018, the new runway of Velana International Airport (VIA) developed by Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) has been completed, injecting new impetus force to the growth of the tourism industry which plays a pillar role in boosting the national development and enhancing people’s livelihood. 7,000 Social Housing Units Project, contracted to Chinese company, is another mega housing project following the completion of the First and Second Phase of the Housing Projects. The completion of the project will greatly improve the housing conditions of the people in Greater Malé. More cooperation will be conducted in the fields of people’s livelihood, infrastructure and tourism for better and faster development of bilateral relations.
The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Maldives is for the Maldivian people and in the common interests of our two peoples. It fully respects the will of the Maldivian government and people, takes local development needs into consideration and delivers benefits to ordinary Maldivian people.
China-Maldives friendship lies in the people-to-people friendship and exchanges. Maldives is renowned as the Paradise for tourists in the world. Over 300,000 Chinese tourists come to Maldives annually. China has remained the largest tourist source market of Maldives for eight consecutive years. “Bright Journey” medical teams visited Maldives to conduct free cataract treatment for Maldivians in 2016 and 2017 respectively. More than 200 patients regained their sights thanks to the cataract surgeries by Chinese experts. A friend in need is a friend indeed. During the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster in 2004 and water crisis in 2014, the Chinese people lend their hands to the Maldivians in the first place. Likewise, the Maldivian government, MNDF Coast Guard and people of the Maldives spared no efforts to help those Chinese tourists in danger.
China and Maldives are now standing at a new starting point in the history to further cement our bilateral ties. After the Maldivian presidential election in September, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, expressing congratulations to Mr. Solih on his election and reiterated China's friendly policy towards the Maldives. President Xi also expressed China's readiness to work with the new Maldivian government to consolidate traditional friendship with the Maldives, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and elevate China-Maldives relations to a new height. During my courtesy call to President-elect a few days ago, Mr. Solih conveyed his cordial greetings and best wishes to President Xi and thanked China for its contributions to the development of Maldives. He assured me of the continuity of cooperation agreements already signed between the two sides and smooth implementation of the ongoing cooperation projects. He said the new government is ready for more cooperation in the fields of livelihood, infrastructure and tourism to achieve better development of bilateral relations.
It’s the right timing for China and Maldives to set sail together. The Chinese side will continue to provide support to the social-economic development of Maldives within its capability. We will work with the Maldivian side to deepen mutual beneficial cooperation so as to deliver more tangible benefits to the two peoples.