President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed departed to China on a historic state visit on Sunday night.

This visit is being made following an invitation from President Xi Jinping.

During the visit, the Maldives and China will hold official talks and sign key agreements to enhance trade, professional development, and socioeconomic cooperation.

This visit will also pave the way for collaborations in technology and other areas between the two countries, according to the President's Office.

President Muizzu at the airport.

The President will also attend the Invest Maldives Forum in Fuzhou, China and meet with senior Chinese business leaders to explore avenues for strengthening socioeconomic relations between the Maldives and China.

A high-level delegation is accompanying the President and the First Lady on the visit.

This is Muizzu's second official overseas visit. He first visited Türkiye and then traveled to the UAE to take part in the COP28 summit.

In the past, Maldivian Presidents made their first state visit to neighboring India. Muizzu's visit is historic as this is the first time a President has made the maiden state visit to China.

The visit comes at a time when relations between Maldives and India are at their worst in recent history. India is China's biggest competitor both regionally and internationally.

The President's official visit to China comes after Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef went to China in December to attend the "China-Indian Ocean Regional Forum on Development Cooperation."

The President maintained close ties with China when he was the Housing Minister. Former President Abdulla Yameen's administration at the time developed close relations with China and carried out large-scale projects in the country with the help of the Chinese government.