Maldives and China sign 20 major agreements including tourism cooperation

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Maldives, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu after which the two countries signed 20 "major" agreements including tourism cooperation.

Both countries announced to further expand their bilateral relations.

Regarding this meeting, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu said that he is honored to make his first official visit to China and he is happy that he is the first foreign political guest of the year for China.

"Today, 20 major agreements were signed between the Government of Maldives and the Government of China in the presence of both Presidents," the Maldives President's Office wrote on X.

The agreements signed include strengthening investment in tourism cooperation, blue economy, disaster management and digital economy. Along with this, China will also provide grant assistance to Maldives, but the amount has not been given.

Apart from this, the agreements also include accelerating construction works through China's Belt and Road Initiative, housing project at Fushidiggaru Falhu, building factories for fishery products, re-development of road development projects in Male and Vilimale.

According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping stressed that China respects and supports the Maldives and will help them in their development agenda in the national interest of the Maldives. At the same time, China stands firmly with Maldives in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity.

India-Maldives dispute

Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu is on a five-day visit to China at a time when a diplomatic row has arisen between India and Maldives.

In fact, recently two ministers of Maldives made objectionable remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After this, on Monday, January 8, 2024, officials of both the countries were summoned at the diplomatic level.

Maldives High Commissioner to India Ibrahim Sahib was summoned. India's High Commissioner to Maldives Munu Mahawar met Ambassador at Large in Male Naseer Mohammed.

The Muizzu government has suspended three deputy ministers for their derogatory posts on social media.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Muizzu had said in China that China was the largest country in terms of tourism in Maldives before the Covid pandemic and it should 'intensify efforts' to take back this place.

At present, in terms of tourism, most Indian tourists go to Maldives.

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