10th anniversary to Xi Jinping's Maldives trip celebrated

The 10th anniversary of Chinese president, Xi Jinping's historic trip the Maldives has been commemorated on Saturday.

Xi Jinping's visit to the Maldives in 2014, during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, is also the first time a Chinese president made an official visit to the Maldives.

Speaking at a ceremony held to commemorate this historic visit and the strengthening of the bilateral ties between the two nations since then, the Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin said that the trust and confidence between both countries over the past 10 years had solidified. She added that the peoples of both countries have been greatly benefitting from this union as well.

The Maldives-China relationship, according to Lixin, signifies a resilient future through sustainable development.

The Ambassador in her remarks, further highlighted that this close kinship shared between the two countries is also owed to the strong political ties and mutual trust. She said this would also enhance the sustainability of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Lixin further affirmed China remains steadfast in assisting the Maldives in light of the high-level discussions between the leaders of both countries earlier. She said the countries will continue to forge its bond with a shared vision for the future, and through further multi-faceted cooperative efforts.

The ceremony was attended by several parliamentarians of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC); who had also made remarks during the event.

The members had focused on the enhancement of relations between both nations following Xi Jinping's state visit in 2014, which also led to a surge in urban development in the Maldives; including the largest infrastructure development initiative carried out in the Maldives till date - the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge which is otherwise known as Sinamale' Bridge.

While relations between both countries have been getting stronger once again, the Maldives presidential couple had earlier made an official visit to China earlier in 2024 as well.