Belt and road: Maldives’ president vows greater cooperation with China on infrastructure projects
- Mohamed Muizzu tells Invest Maldives business forum China is one of his country’s closest allies and developmental partners
- New Muizzu presidency marks shift in Malé after his predecessor accused China’s infrastructure initiative of saddling the Maldives with excessive debt
Muizzu landed in China on Monday for a five-day state visit that will include meetings with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, making the Maldives’ newly elected president the first head of state welcomed by China this year.
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During the Invest Maldives business forum in the southeastern city of Fuzhou, Muizzu said Malé would continue to cooperate with China in key Maldives infrastructure plans under the belt and road programme.
He said his country would explore the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) that had been signed but not yet activated under the previous administration, according to Muizzu’s presidential office.
“[Muizzu] spoke on the long-standing relationship between the Maldives and China, which dates back to the ancient Maritime Silk Road. He stated that China remains one of the closest allies and developmental partners of the Maldives,” the office said.
Observers said engagement between the two countries would focus mainly on economic issues, including China’s support for the Maldives’ pillar tourism industry and a renewed push for the belt and road programme.