Sinamale' Bridge, symbol of China-Maldives friendship: President

The Sinamale' Bridge is not just a "remarkable feat of engineering" that connects two islands, but a symbol of enduring partnership between the Maldives and China, said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Friday.

President Muizzu said this in a post on X commemorating the 6th year anniversary to the Sinamale' Bridge, otherwise known as the 'China Maldives Friendship Bridge'.

Besides symbolizing the enduring partnership, President Muizzu in his X post said it is also a symbol of mutual trust, and further added the bridge continues to be a testament to the shared vision of progress, unity, and prosperity between the two countries.

The Sinamale' Bridge, the largest-ever infrastructure development project completed in the Maldives so far, was opened for the public first on August 30, 2018 around the culmination point of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's presidency.

The bridge was developed under a grant and loan aid extended by the Chinese government with the Maldives government covering a portion of the project's cost. The entire project incurred USD 200 million.

The two countries entered into agreement for the bridge on July 9, 2015, and was contracted to the CCCC Second Harbor Engineering company on November 23 of the same year.

The development of the entire bridge structure concluded within three years and 11 months.

During the inauguration in 2018, former President Yameen said the bridge's primary objective was to bring an end to the logistical and transportation setbacks Greater Male' area residents faced on a regular basis.