Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of China Liu Jinsong has said both China and Maldives must work hard to strengthen relations.
He met Maldives Ambassador Fazeel Najeeb on August 28 ahead of President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to China.
Liu Jinsong quoted a Maldivian proverb, "Only those who process with their own hands can taste the mangrove fruits that are not bitter," expressing that consolidating and developing China-Maldives relations requires unremitting efforts from both sides.
Fazeel Najeeb thanked China for its strong support to the Maldives and looked forward to strengthening cooperation in economy, trade, finance, tourism and other fields.
