The Maldives and China exchanged 20 key agreements on Wednesday.
The agreements were signed in Beijing during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's ongoing state visit to China following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The two leaders presided over the signing ceremony at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, according to the President's Office.
The agreements include projects envisioned in the government's infrastructure development plans, expansion of business and trade links, skills training, and strengthening social, economic and technological ties.
Agreements signed with China:
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Area of Disaster Risk Reduction
- MoU on Deepening Blue Economy Cooperation
- MoU on Strengthening Investment Cooperation in the Digital Economy
- MoU on Promoting Investment Cooperation in Green Development
- MoU on Cooperation between China Media Group and Public Service Media of the Maldives
- MoU on Jointly Accelerating the Formulation of the Cooperation Plan on the Belt and Road Initiative
- MoU on Strengthening Digital Economy Cooperation
- MoU on Human Resource Development Cooperation
- MoU on Exchange and Cooperation in the Field of Economic Development Policy
- MoU on Technical Cooperation of Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine
- MoU on Strengthening of Agricultural Cooperation
- Action Plan for Building a China-Maldives Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (2024-2028)
- Grant Assistance agreement
- MoU on Cooperation on Green and Low-Carbon Development
- MoU on Social Housing Project in Fushidhiggaru, expansion of Velana International Airport, Fisheries Products Processing Factories and Re-development of Malé and Villimalé Roads Development Projects
- MoU on Marine Cooperation Toward Blue Partnership
- MoU on Tourism Cooperation
- Letter of Exchange on Coconut Tree Pest Control Assistance Project
- Letter of Exchange on Feasibility Study on Laboratory Equipment for Seventeen Health Facilities Project
- MoU on News Cooperation
President Muizzu's state visit to China was undertaken on the invitation of the Chinese President. A high-level delegation including cabinet ministers and heads of state-owned companies are accompanying the President.
Official talks between the countries took place after the signing of the agreements.
During the talks, President Muizzu expressed gratitude for China's "significant role in the Maldives' economic success and for China's generous assistance in social housing, higher education, and infrastructure development of the Maldives," according to the President's Office.
Discussions also focused on "avenues for expanding tourism cooperation and air connectivity between the two countries."
President Xi Jinping congratulated President Muizzu on his election victory and said the visit would "mark the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations between China and the Maldives." He also expressed hope for strengthening cooperation in the blue, green, and digital economies.
Both leaders were optimistic about strengthening bilateral ties in the future, the President's Office said.
