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Maldives

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Maldives. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Malé

Head of State

President Mohamed Muizzu

Head of Government

President Mohamed Muizzu

Tourists go snorkelling at Sharp Island on October 4, during the National Day holiday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | 3 ways Hong Kong can keep the golden goose of ecotourism healthy

Readers discuss how to manage ecotourism, the safety of bamboo scaffolding, and empathy for people with disabilities.

21 Oct 2025 - 11:30AM

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s Gaza deal forged by diplomacy blitz, help from Arab and Muslim allies

10 Oct 2025 - 11:38AM

Trending in China

Forgotten China diver drifts for 40 minutes, gets no apology from Maldives hotel

27 Sep 2025 - 2:00PM

SCMP Highlights

US$24 dried plum, warding off dementia with exercise: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From the evolution of the Jolly Roger to an award-winning resort in the Maldives, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

18 Sep 2025 - 3:46PM

Assorted leung gwo from Yiu Fung. Photo: Yue

Tourism

‘No shoes, no news’ resort awarded best hospitality by World’s 50 Best Hotels

Soneva Fushi brings 50 Best’s Art of Hospitality Award to Asia for the first time, with staff trained to build relationships with guests.

16 Sep 2025 - 1:01PM

Asia travel

Gastronomic events to whet your appetite this autumn

Well-known chefs take Bangkok, Indonesia boasts sustainable dining, female culinary stars land in Da Nang, and Bali chefs whip up a feast at the W Maldives.

3 Sep 2025 - 6:15PM

SCO

Foreign leaders ride the rapid rails of China’s tech prowess after SCO summit

Blazing from Tianjin to Beijing on China’s signature high-speed railway, several state leaders are given a glimpse of rapid and lucrative modernisation efforts.

5 Sep 2025 - 11:35AMvideocam

Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli arrives in Beijing on Tuesday. He is among more than a dozen state leaders who took a high-speed train to Beijing this week to attend Wednesday’s Victory Day parade. Photo: Xinhua

India

‘India in’: Modi’s visit, aid pledge reshape Maldives ties as China wavers

India’s willingness to support the Maldives through its economic woes has helped shift Male’s stance to one of cooperation, analysts say.

29 Jul 2025 - 8:01PM

Diplomacy

Opinion | Are China, Pakistan, Bangladesh quietly planting region’s new framework?

Kunming trilateral meeting comes as India-Pakistan rivalry paralyses SAARC and Pakistan is frozen out of BIMSTEC, leaving a regional void.

18 Jul 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

India

Monsoon chaos grips South Asia as climate change causes erratic rainfall

Hundreds of rain-related deaths have already occurred this year in the region.

10 Jul 2025 - 11:33AMvideocam

People make their way through a waterlogged street during heavy rain in Kolkata, India, on July Tuesday. Photo: EPA

Tourism

Want a special way to mark World Oceans Day? Try these luxury experiences

Adventure awaits the outgoing traveller on these 5 luxury holiday ideas that showcase the best of ocean exploration.

8 Jun 2025 - 8:30AM

A Zodiac takes tourists up close to a glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula, in the Southern Ocean. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong police

Editorial | Joint police crackdown on cross-border scams delivers swift justice

Hong Kong force joins regional counterparts on new communication platform to intercept proceeds of crime and net hundreds of fraudsters.

6 Jun 2025 - 6:30AM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong helps seize HK$157 million in cross-border online scam operation

Seven Asian police agencies also made 1,800 arrests and froze over 32,000 bank accounts with the aid of direct communication platform.

3 Jun 2025 - 10:18PMvideocam

United States

Opinion | Why UK-Mauritius deal over military base is more than a legal milestone

Once seen as a relic of colonialism, the Chagos Archipelago has evolved into a flashpoint in global strategic competition.

28 May 2025 - 7:25AM

Asia travel

Where to catch the most photogenic beach sunsets in Asia

If you’re chasing the perfect sunset shot, head to one of these Asian beaches, all of which offer social media gold.

15 May 2025 - 5:02PM

Narigama Sri Lanka beach cricket during sunset. Photo: Tim Pile

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Maldives plans US$8.8 billion tax-free ‘financial freezone’ to ease debt woes

The Indian Ocean nation hopes a massive Middle Eastern investment will transform the tourism hotspot into a global financial hub by 2030.

5 May 2025 - 3:15PMvideocam

Israel

Maldives joins Malaysia in call for ‘legitimate’ Palestinian state amid Gaza war

The Maldives reiterated call for a Palestinian state comes two weeks after the island nation implemented an entry ban on Israeli passport holders.

28 Apr 2025 - 3:51PM

Climate change

Opinion | Asia can’t afford to wait for the US to wake up to its climate duty

As the US walks away again, Europe, China and others need to fill the climate reparation funding gap, not out of charity but responsibility.

29 Mar 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Elephants wade through flood waters to help bring relief supplies to villagers in Chiang Mai province, Thailand, on October 6, 2024. Photo: AP

India

India boosts aid to Maldives in bid to ‘outdo’ China’s influence in region

In a sign of an ‘uptick in bilateral relations’, India has earmarked US$69 million in financial aid for the Maldives in its latest budget.

6 Feb 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

India

Did India plot to oust Maldives’ Muizzu or is it just a ‘conspiracy theory’?

Such a move would yield little advantage and India is unlikely to deviate from its policy of strategic patience with neighbours, analysts say.

2 Jan 2025 - 6:56PMvideocam

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

My Take | South Asia needs to get its political house in order to turn around its economy

Political violence and social unrest have dented support for South Asian countries from investors and multilateral institutions.

27 Dec 2024 - 10:30AM

A protest in Multan on Monday against US sanctions on some Pakistani companies allegedly involved in long-range missile technology. Photo: EPA-EFE

Women and gender

Opinion | Faster, bolder action needed to empower women across the Asia-Pacific

Great strides made since 1995 Beijing Declaration of women’s rights but progress still uneven and often fragile. True equality remains elusive.

15 Nov 2024 - 5:45AMvideocam

A woman operates a drone under the government-backed “Drone Sister” programme, at a training centre in Manesar in the northern Indian state of Haryana. Women’s empowerment is key to unlocking the full potential of Asia-Pacific economies. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh

As China’s navy docks in Bangladesh, India watches with ‘growing concern’

Beijing is keen to cement ties with the new interim government in Dhaka – but analysts say all India sees is ‘continuous Chinese build-up’.

20 Oct 2024 - 3:00PM

India

Allies again? India’s ‘strategic patience’ with Maldives appears to pay off

During President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to New Delhi, both sides announced partnerships in areas such as currency swap and port development.

8 Oct 2024 - 5:31PMvideocam

Hong Kong transport

Singapore Airlines offers Hong Kong fliers tickets discounted by up to 60%

Move set to put pressure on Cathay Pacific to also offer discounts as competition among regional rivals intensifies.

26 Sep 2024 - 6:55PM

Bali is among the destinations that Singapore Airlines has included in its promotional campaign. Photo: EPA-EFE

Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s Fosun in talks to sell stake in Club Med to Singapore’s CapitaLand

The firm, part of Temasek Holdings-owned conglomerate CapitaLand Group, seeks to acquire from 20 to 30 per cent of the hotelier.

17 Sep 2024 - 4:52PM

Club Med’s Kiroro Peak resort, located in Hokkaido, Japan. Photo: Club Med

Hong Kong transport

Luxury airline forced to delay Hong Kong-Maldives service launch by 1 year

Business-class only airline Beond says launch delay due to long waits for aircraft deliveries, but stresses importance of Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets.

24 Aug 2024 - 1:30PM

Bangladesh

Opinion | Unrest in Bangladesh is canary in coal mine for Global South

To surpass the West, the so-called ‘rest’ must first reckon with economic mismanagement, youth unemployment and shifting public opinion.

21 Aug 2024 - 8:40AMvideocam

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Maldives

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | 3 ways Hong Kong can keep the golden goose of ecotourism healthy

Readers discuss how to manage ecotourism, the safety of bamboo scaffolding, and empathy for people with disabilities.

Trump’s Gaza deal forged by diplomacy blitz, help from Arab and Muslim allies

Forgotten China diver drifts for 40 minutes, gets no apology from Maldives hotel

US$24 dried plum, warding off dementia with exercise: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From the evolution of the Jolly Roger to an award-winning resort in the Maldives, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

‘No shoes, no news’ resort awarded best hospitality by World’s 50 Best Hotels

Soneva Fushi brings 50 Best’s Art of Hospitality Award to Asia for the first time, with staff trained to build relationships with guests.

Gastronomic events to whet your appetite this autumn

Well-known chefs take Bangkok, Indonesia boasts sustainable dining, female culinary stars land in Da Nang, and Bali chefs whip up a feast at the W Maldives.

Foreign leaders ride the rapid rails of China’s tech prowess after SCO summit

Blazing from Tianjin to Beijing on China’s signature high-speed railway, several state leaders are given a glimpse of rapid and lucrative modernisation efforts.

‘India in’: Modi’s visit, aid pledge reshape Maldives ties as China wavers

India’s willingness to support the Maldives through its economic woes has helped shift Male’s stance to one of cooperation, analysts say.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Are China, Pakistan, Bangladesh quietly planting region’s new framework?

Kunming trilateral meeting comes as India-Pakistan rivalry paralyses SAARC and Pakistan is frozen out of BIMSTEC, leaving a regional void.

Monsoon chaos grips South Asia as climate change causes erratic rainfall

Hundreds of rain-related deaths have already occurred this year in the region.

Want a special way to mark World Oceans Day? Try these luxury experiences

Adventure awaits the outgoing traveller on these 5 luxury holiday ideas that showcase the best of ocean exploration.

Editorial | Joint police crackdown on cross-border scams delivers swift justice

Hong Kong force joins regional counterparts on new communication platform to intercept proceeds of crime and net hundreds of fraudsters.

Hong Kong helps seize HK$157 million in cross-border online scam operation

Seven Asian police agencies also made 1,800 arrests and froze over 32,000 bank accounts with the aid of direct communication platform.

Opinion | Why UK-Mauritius deal over military base is more than a legal milestone

Once seen as a relic of colonialism, the Chagos Archipelago has evolved into a flashpoint in global strategic competition.

Where to catch the most photogenic beach sunsets in Asia

If you’re chasing the perfect sunset shot, head to one of these Asian beaches, all of which offer social media gold.

Maldives plans US$8.8 billion tax-free ‘financial freezone’ to ease debt woes

The Indian Ocean nation hopes a massive Middle Eastern investment will transform the tourism hotspot into a global financial hub by 2030.

Maldives joins Malaysia in call for ‘legitimate’ Palestinian state amid Gaza war

The Maldives reiterated call for a Palestinian state comes two weeks after the island nation implemented an entry ban on Israeli passport holders.

Opinion | Asia can’t afford to wait for the US to wake up to its climate duty

As the US walks away again, Europe, China and others need to fill the climate reparation funding gap, not out of charity but responsibility.

India boosts aid to Maldives in bid to ‘outdo’ China’s influence in region

In a sign of an ‘uptick in bilateral relations’, India has earmarked US$69 million in financial aid for the Maldives in its latest budget.

Did India plot to oust Maldives’ Muizzu or is it just a ‘conspiracy theory’?

Such a move would yield little advantage and India is unlikely to deviate from its policy of strategic patience with neighbours, analysts say.

My Take | South Asia needs to get its political house in order to turn around its economy

Political violence and social unrest have dented support for South Asian countries from investors and multilateral institutions.

Opinion | Faster, bolder action needed to empower women across the Asia-Pacific

Great strides made since 1995 Beijing Declaration of women’s rights but progress still uneven and often fragile. True equality remains elusive.

As China’s navy docks in Bangladesh, India watches with ‘growing concern’

Beijing is keen to cement ties with the new interim government in Dhaka – but analysts say all India sees is ‘continuous Chinese build-up’.

Allies again? India’s ‘strategic patience’ with Maldives appears to pay off

During President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to New Delhi, both sides announced partnerships in areas such as currency swap and port development.

Singapore Airlines offers Hong Kong fliers tickets discounted by up to 60%

Move set to put pressure on Cathay Pacific to also offer discounts as competition among regional rivals intensifies.

China’s Fosun in talks to sell stake in Club Med to Singapore’s CapitaLand

The firm, part of Temasek Holdings-owned conglomerate CapitaLand Group, seeks to acquire from 20 to 30 per cent of the hotelier.

Luxury airline forced to delay Hong Kong-Maldives service launch by 1 year

Business-class only airline Beond says launch delay due to long waits for aircraft deliveries, but stresses importance of Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets.

Opinion | Unrest in Bangladesh is canary in coal mine for Global South

To surpass the West, the so-called ‘rest’ must first reckon with economic mismanagement, youth unemployment and shifting public opinion.

Letters | 3 ways Hong Kong can keep the golden goose of ecotourism healthy

Opinion | Are China, Pakistan, Bangladesh quietly planting region’s new framework?