Embarking on a New Journey and Embracing a Bright Future

——Briefing by Ambassador Wang Lixin on the Official Visit of

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Maldives

On Jan. 7-8, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an official visit to the Maldives on invitation. The fruitful visit is of great significance to China-Maldives relations. I’d like to use “one, two, three, four and five” to summarize the achievements and significance of the visit.

One means “one important visit”. The Maldives is an important stop on State Councilor Wang Yi’s first New Year trip, and it is an important visit at the beginning of the 50^th anniversary of China-Maldives diplomatic relations and an important high-level visit from the Chinese side in recent years, which is of great significance for the future development of the bilateral relations. During the visit, the two sides launched the celebration events commemorating the 50^th anniversary of China-Maldives diplomatic relations by unveiling the official Logo. As State Councilor Wang Yi said at the joint press conference, his visit to the Maldives is fruitful, which is the best mark of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and will advance the development of the future-oriented, all-round friendly and cooperative partnership between China and the Maldives.

Two means that the visit has achieved “two major goals”. The first goal is to review and summarize the important achievements and experience of our bilateral relations gained over the past 50 years. The second goal is to draw a blueprint for the future development of China-Maldives relations.

Three means the visit has sent “three important messages”. Firstly, China has always upheld that all nations, big and small, are equal, and China has always supported the Maldives in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, pursuing an independent foreign policy. The Maldives firmly upholds the one China principle, and firmly supports China on issues of core interests. China-Maldives relations, through 50 years of joint efforts, have withstood the test of international vicissitudes and become more mature, and have become a model of friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation. Secondly, China, with down-to-earth actions, supports the Maldives in speeding up its socio-economic construction and enhancing the capability of independent development. China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, the expansion and upgrading project of the Velana International Airport, social housing and other projects have brought transformative changes to the Maldivian people’s lives. Thirdly, at the historical point of the 50^th anniversary of the China-Maldives diplomatic relations, the two sides should take a broader view and open up a new chapter of mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation.

Four means that the visit has specified four key directions for future cooperation between the two countries. Firstly, to continue cooperation in fighting against the pandemic for a complete victory; Secondly, to continue to build the Belt and Road with high quality, accelerating cooperation on key projects and tourism, and promote the ratification and taking effect of China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement at an early date, so as to offer impetus to the Maldives’ post-pandemic economic recovery. Thirdly, to expand cooperation with the Maldives in emerging fields such as communication, digitization, and marine economy and back its efforts for the strategy of diversified development. Fourthly, to strengthen coordination in international affairs and safeguard the international system centered on the UN.

Five means the two sides signed five cooperation documents, mainly on mutual visa exemption, economic and technical cooperation on grant aid, follow-up management and maintenance of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, sea-water desalination project and hospital assistance and cooperation programme.

 The mutual visa exemption agreement will greatly facilitate the movement of people between the two countries once the pandemic is under control, which will help enhance people-to-people understanding and friendship. Under the agreement on economic and technical cooperation on grant aid, China will help the Maldives on socio-economic, likelihood and infrastructure construction. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is a landmark project in the cooperation under the BRI between our two countries. China will offer support for its follow-up management and maintenance, facilitating the local people’s travel and making more contributions to the economic and social development of the Maldives. As to the sea-water desalination project, the Chinese side will establish sea water desalination plants in 5 inhabited islands very soon, each satisfying the water demands of 2000 residents, which will effectively solve the problem of lack of fresh water resources for local residents. With regard to the agreement on hospital assistance and cooperation programme, the Chinese side will provide support and assistance to the Maldivian side in building capacity for its regional ophthalmic center, and helping more people with vision impairment to recover eyesight with quality medical services.

The signing and implementation of these documents are new initiatives for China to support the Maldives in accelerating economic and social construction and improve its independent development capacity, which will not only provide impetus for the revival of the Maldivian economy and improvement of its people’s livelihood, but also help promote people-to-people exchanges and friendship between the two countries. As State Councilor Wang Yi said, “Facts have shown that the joint construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road by China and the Maldives serves the common interests of the two peoples. We are embarking on a shared path to hope, prosperity and happiness.”

In conclusion, the historic visit has enhanced mutual trust, expanded practical cooperation, deepened traditional friendship and created the future, starting a new journey for China-Maldives relations. China is ready to work together with the Maldivian side to implement the important consensus and results of the visit and take the 50th anniversary of China-Maldives diplomatic relations as an opportunity to promote the future-oriented, all-round friendly and cooperative partnership to a new high, opening up a brighter and better future of China-Maldives relations.