Speaking at the joint press communiqué given by Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and President Xi at President’s Office Monday afternoon, Chinese President expressed his wish for the Male-Hulhumale Bridge, regarding which a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries, to be called China-Maldives Friendship Bridge. President Xi assured government support for the project and asked that the bridge be a symbol of the friendship that existed between citizens of two countries. “China will help Maldives with work on Male-Hulhule Bridge. I propose that the bridge be named China-Maldives Friendship Bridge,” he said. A MOU on Promoting the Construction of the Male-Hulhule’ Bridge Project was signed by Maldivian Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb and Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng; shortly before the joint press communiqué, along with 8 other agreements. President Xi said he would encourage more Chinese businesses to invest in Maldives and that the government would facilitate finance assistance for such projects. Chinese President also said that both governments had come to agreement to strengthen cooperation in maritime, security, disaster management, and marine research; referring to MOU on Marine Cooperation and MOU on the Establishment of a Joint Meeting Mechanism to Deal with the Issue of Safety of Chinese Tourists in the Maldives. “I will try to increase investment for projects such as ‘Youth City’, and will continue to provide financial assistance for all joint projects,” said Xi. President Xi noted Maldives’ decision to actively participate in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) project Chinese government was trying to establish, and expressed gratitude for it. Xi pledged to work on increasing the number of Chinese tourists that visited Maldives and increasing the number of Chinese businesses investing in Maldives tourism industry. President Xi also pledged Chinese government’s support for work being done by Maldives to protect itself from the effects of climate change; like help providing training and help produce renewable energy. He also pledged help in training civil servants and teaching Chinese language to Maldivians. He said that the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation would be established and meetings started, soon. More projects to be run in Maldives by China will be decided through the Committee, he said, noting that the committee would facilitate more Chinese investment in Maldives. “China sees Maldives as a close, loyal friend. I am confident the relationship will further strengthen and prosper,” said President Xi. President Xi, along with First Lady Peng Liyuan, and Chinese government officials arrived in Maldives Sunday evening, and is set to leave the country on Tuesday. The visit is part of a larger trip to South East Asia, to gather support for MSR.