President Mohamed Muizzu of the Republic of Maldives is embarking on a significant state visit to China from January 8 to 12, marking the first foreign head of state to visit China by invitation in 2024. This trip is also President Muizzu's first state visit to a foreign country since taking office last November.
The importance placed on this visit by both the Chinese and Maldivian governments is evident, with expectations of reaching consensus and signing a series of bilateral cooperation agreements. These agreements are anticipated to cover a wide range of areas including politics, trade, investment, infrastructure development, education, tourism, culture, and the green economy.
Since establishing diplomatic relations on October 14, 1972, China and the Maldives have gradually developed friendly ties. In September 2014, China's President Xi Jinping made a state visit to the Maldives, the first of its kind, where the two leaders agreed to build a \"future-oriented, all-round friendly and cooperative partnership\".
The Maldives holds strategic significance in China's neighborhood diplomacy due to its location in the heart of the Indian Ocean, serving as a key shipping link along major trade routes between Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.
Economic relations between the two nations are strengthening, with bilateral trade reaching $451 million in 2022, reflecting a 10.1% year-on-year increase. Chinese enterprises have been aggressively investing in the Maldives, particularly in sectors like tourism, fishery, transportation, energy, and more.
Under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Maldives has seen significant infrastructure development, including the completion of projects such as the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, the Hulhumale affordable housing project, and the expansion of Male International Airport. These projects not only support the Maldives' socio-economic development but also enhance living standards and social well-being for its residents.
The Maldives' economy heavily relies on its tourism sector, renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism, but with the recovery heavily dependent on Chinese tourists, the authorities in Male are implementing strategies to attract more Chinese travelers, aiming to revitalize the tourism and related service industries.
Reference(s):
Neighborhood diplomacy: Muizzu's China visit aims to strengthen ties
cgtn.com
