Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon and Chinese Ambassador to Maldives Wang Lixin held talks on Monday to strengthen military ties between Maldives and China.
The Chinese Ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Defense Minister and the pair discussed the strengthening of military ties and the security and safety of the two countries.
An agreement was signed in March to provide assistance to Maldives military and security services by the Chinese military.
The Maldives signed the defense agreement with China in Male' on March 4. Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Chinese Office for International Military Cooperation, signed the agreement on behalf of China. Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon signed on behalf of the Maldives.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu previously said that China will supply military equipment and train soldiers under the agreement. He did not offer any further details.
Early in President Muizzu's administration, the government faced criticism from the opposition as a Chinese research vessel that was denied entry to some other countries docked in Male' after spending a month near the border of the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
