The Maldives and China are set to hold its first Director General level Bilateral Coordination Mechanism Talks on July 16.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives stated the first meeting will be focused on the opening of borders and tourism, adding the two countries will discuss cooperation in areas of mutual interests including strengthening cooperation between the two countries on COVID-19 prevention, recovery of economy, tourism and safety measures.
The Maldivian delegation partaking in the meeting will include representatives from Ministry of Tourism, Health Protection Agency and Civil Aviation Authority. Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation will include representatives from National Health Commission of China, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Culture & Tourism and Civil Aviation Administration of China.
In a statement, the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed the government of the Maldives welcomes the initiative by the government of China to engage and continue bilateral dialogue amidst the global pandemic. Referring to the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid said the Maldives-China relationship is anchored on a strong foundation of shared historic bonds, adding the basis of the bilateral relationship between the two countries is the commitment of the Maldives to One-China Policy, sovereignty and mutual respect for territorial integrity.
The Maldivian foreign minister added China has been and remains as an important economic and bilateral development partner for the Maldives, noting the Maldives is committed to working with China in further strengthening ties of bilateral relations and the strong bonds of friendship between the people of both countries. He added Maldives-China relations will stand strong, vibrant and continue to grow from strength to strength, under the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.