Wang Yi Meets with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid of Maldives

On September 24, 2022 local time, State Councilor met with Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Wang Yi congratulated Shahid on the successful performance of his duties during his presidency of the UN General Assembly, which has made positive contributions to the development of the UN cause, addressed global challenges, and helped the Maldives to improve its international status and influence. Wang Yi said, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Maldives diplomatic relations. Over the past time of half a century, China and the Maldives have been upholding the spirit of friendship and neighborliness, treating each other as equals, conducting cooperation for development, supporting each other with mutual assistance and tiding over difficulties together. China highly appreciates the Maldives' long-standing understanding and support for China's just claims on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns, and China also supports the Maldives in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and will continue to uphold justice for the Maldives at the international arena.

Shahid expressed his gratitude to China for its long-standing valuable support to the Maldives in various fields such as infrastructure, education, and energy. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge built with China's assistance has brought enormous changes to the country and greatly accelerated the economic development process of the Maldives and benefitted the Maldivian people.

Shahid stressed, the one-China principle is a firm consensus of the Maldivian government which the Maldives will consistently and firmly adhere. The one-China principle is also an international consensus confirmed by the UN General Assembly resolution, and I have released a press statement as the President of the UN General Assembly to make my position clear. I thank China for its strong support during my presidency of the UN General Assembly and look forward to continuing to strengthen coordination with China on multilateral affairs.

Wang Yi said that China and the Maldives have a tradition of mutual understanding and mutual support, and China appreciates the Maldives' adherence to the one-China principle. When it comes to the principle of sovereignty, there is no room for double standards. Since some countries now flaunt respect for national sovereignty, they should match their words with actions, must show equal respect for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Taiwan question, and unequivocally oppose separatist activities for "Taiwan independence", and do not engage in any form of official contacts with Taiwan.

The two sides expressed readiness to continue to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and speed up the ratification of the free trade agreement, so as to inject more stable and positive expectations for bilateral cooperation.