BEIJING: President Xi Jinping and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership on Wednesday, with both nations pledging further cooperation on the building of the Belt and Road, the digital economy and green development.
Xi rolled out the red carpet for Muizzu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with a welcoming ceremony that included a review of a guard of honor and a 21-gun salute. The Maldivian president is on a five-day state visit to China that started on Monday.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of an action plan for developing the comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as agreements ranging from the blue, or ocean, economy to infrastructure.
Xi called his Maldivian counterpart “old friend” at the start of their talks, saying the fact that Muizzu is the first foreign leader he has hosted this year and that Muizzu chose China as the destination of his first state visit overseas since taking office, speaks volumes about the emphasis both nations place on the relationship.
“China-Maldives relations are presented with a historic opportunity to build on past achievements and forge ahead toward the future under the new circumstances,” he said.
Xi underscored that China respects and supports the Maldives in exploring a development path that suits its national conditions, and firmly supports the Indian Ocean nation in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity.
China will welcome the arrival of more students from the Maldives, and support the increase in the number of direct flights between the two nations, Xi told his guest.
Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives’ adherence to the one-China policy, saying that his country looks forward to further expanding new channels of bilateral cooperation and adding new dimensions to bilateral relations. –The Daily Mail-China Daily News exchange item
