Former leaders of Maldives and China are acting quite similarly recently. When they were in the government, China was considered great by them. But, when they lost the government, they describe China as the biggest foe.
If we look at Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa started the port project and special economic zone development project. China was involved in these projects by him. These projects were halted because of several corrupt dealings that surrounded these projects.
The current government got rid of these corrupt dealings and enabled the projects to go forward. When it came to develop IT parks, factories, and other facilities in the SEZ, Rajapaksa didn’t like it. He started sending protesters to halt these projects.
Same issues are visible from Maldives as well. When MDP was in the government, they were very supportive of China. Accepted their assistance. Even requested China for assistance. Asking for assistance is not a problem but, betraying those who assist is a problem.
It was China that helped to establish sewerage systems in Male’ for free. They built flats for free. The flats that were leased in Maumoon’s government was built by China. Not only in Male’, but Hulhumale’ too. The government did not spend a dime on these flats. Various other assistance given by China can be seen even today.
However, when the government leased an island to develop a resort to a Chinese company, that became a huge ‘sin’. Maldives readily leases islands to all able investors without any discrimination to their country of origin.
Just because, MDP and Maumoon are not in the government anymore, they cannot digest to see that the government is strengthening relations with foreign countries and that Maldives is benefiting from it.