Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Meets with Wang Yi

On January 8, 2022 local time, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met in Malé with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was visiting the Maldives upon invitation.

Solih asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping. Solih said, I had a phone conversation with President Xi Jinping last year and we reached important consensus on consolidating Maldives-China relations and expanding pragmatic cooperation. I would like to thank China for its great contributions to the Maldives' economic and social development, its strong support for the Maldives' promotion of universal vaccination, and its efforts in facilitating debt relief and suspension for the Maldives within the framework of G20. The Maldives firmly adheres to pursuing the one-China policy. The good relations and solid mutual trust between the Maldives and China are rooted in the long-standing traditional friendship between the two sides and the adherence to the principles such as sovereign equality and mutual respect. The Maldives is full of confidence in the future of Maldives-China relations, and is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation and promote Maldives-China relations to achieve more robust development.

Wang Yi first conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings. Wang Yi said, China-Maldives friendly exchanges enjoy a long history. About 600 years ago, Chinese navigator Zheng He visited the Maldives twice, and the ancient Maritime Silk Road has long linked the two peoples. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives. The relations between the two countries have stood the test of international changes, become more stable and mature, and contributed to regional peace and stability. The most valuable experience of 50 years of exchanges is consistently upholding mutual respect, treating each other as equals, pursuing solidarity and providing mutual assistance, which has consolidated mutual trust between the two countries and consolidated the political foundation of bilateral relations. China appreciates the Maldives' firm support for safeguarding China's core interests, and China has always supported the Maldives in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, following a development path suited to its national conditions and pursuing an independent foreign policy. China stands ready to expand mutually beneficial cooperation with the Maldives in various fields, support the Maldives in advancing its diversified development strategy, and hope that the China-Maldives free trade agreement will be ratified and put into effect as soon as possible, so as to boost the Maldives' economic transformation and upgrade.

Wang Yi said, the virus is a common enemy of all mankind, and China will uphold the concept of a global community of health for all and continue to unite with the Maldives to fight the pandemic until the final victory is won. China is willing to continue to provide the Maldives with more anti-pandemic supplies and vaccine support according to the needs of the Maldivian side.

The two sides exchanged views on strengthening communication and coordination in international affairs. Wang Yi said, China is willing to continue to work with the Maldives to uphold true multilateralism, safeguard the authority of the United Nations (UN) and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, defend international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China welcomes the Maldives to play a unique and constructive role in international and regional affairs. Solih highly appreciates China's global influence and important role, and is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China.

On the same day, Wang Yi also held talks with Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. Both sides witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents and attended the launching ceremony of the official logo for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives.