Maldives government aims to shift 35% of fuel-based fish processing activities to renewable sources in the next five years, announced the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam on Monday.

The Minister made the remarks during his speech at the 18th Infofish World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition at Bangkok, Thailand.

Minister Shiyam officiated the exhibition, and shared the fisheries industry vision under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.

In his speech, the minister higlighted ongoing state efforts to seek prospective blue economy opportunities besides traditional fishing activities.

“The fisheries activity in the Maldives is regarded as one of the most sustainable fishing practices globally, and the current vision for the Maldivian fisheries industry is to shift to renewable energy sources in all the stages of fisheries (from fishing to process) and reduce reliance on fossil fuel,” Minister Shiyam said.

“It is imperative to ensure the fisheries activities in the Indian Ocean, follow sustainable practices. Fishing is an important industry for the Maldives both economically and socially, so it is vital that the industry progresses as a sustainable one,” Shiyam added.

The 18th edition of the Infofish World Tuna Conference and Exhibition launched on Monday, will last until Wednesday this week.

The ministry said it would receive opportunities to highlight the challenges in establishing sustainable fisheries activities, and provide presentations on fisheries activities using technological advancements and the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

Source(s): sun.mv

The one-China principle is the solid anchor for peace across the Taiwan Straits, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island changes, it will not change the historical and legal facts that Taiwan is part of China, or the historical trend that China will inevitably be reunified, Wang added.

Recently, political leaders and people from all walks of life in many countries, including the SCO member states, have voiced their support for China’s just cause of opposing “Taiwan independence” and promoting reunification, which once again shows that the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle is unshakable, Wang said.

Any attempt to dispute or deny the one-China principle will only end in failure, he stressed.

Wang noted that the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulate that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and are also the collective memory of the international community, he added.

The separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” forces are the most serious challenge to the international order and the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The one-China principle is the political premise on which China establishes and develops diplomatic relations with other countries, and also the solid anchor for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The Chinese nation always holds the common belief that the homeland cannot be divided, the country cannot be destabilized, its ethnic groups cannot be separated, and its civilization cannot be disrupted, Wang said.

Emphasizing that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, Wang said that realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and also a historical trend that no force can stop.

Source(s): CGTN

Criminal Court on Monday, has warned against spreading rumors or issuing public opiniong claiming conviction of Bassam Adeel Jaleel, former President of Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

The court warned against spreading such rumors since it has not arrived at verdict on Bassam’s case.

The former FAM President is facing money laundering charges for depositing USD 10,000 extended by FIFA, to his bank account, for personal use, which Prosecutor General’s Office claimed on April 18, 2024.

While his case is pending, Bassam has been facing constant slandering and libel on social media.

Criminal Court Judge Ismail Shafeeu on Monday’s order, said defendants have the right to be treated as innocent until convicted at a court of law, despite facing criminal allegations or charges.

Besides issuing the warning against slandering the former FAM president, the court declared any such attempts would be regarded as a contempt of court and will be held as an offense.

PG earlier claimed its investigations had found Bassam had bought and registered properties after siphoning money from FAM accounts, used the misappropriated funds for his own business ventures, family expenses and for trips abroad.

PG Office also confirmed it has not completed the investigation on the matter, adding it would be pressing additional charges as the investigation proceeds.

Apart from facing money laundering charges for mishanding FAM funds, Bassam earlier faced allegations of money laundering and graft related to MMPRC, which is is currently investigated by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Source(s): sun.mv