Maldives and China have elevated their relationship to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the leadership talks between President Mohamed Muizzu and President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, a Chinese foreign ministry statement said.
“Upgrading China-Maldives relations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership is in line with the development needs of China-Maldives relations and the expectations of the people of the two countries,” Xi told Muizzu during the delegation-level talks.
The two nations signed an Action Plan to build the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two leaders also witnessed signing of 20 pacts in the realm of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation as well in areas of disaster management, economy, technology, blue economy, digital economy and green development, according to the Chinese statement.
According to a statement by the Maldivian Presidency, Muizzu expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for Beijing’s “significant role” in Maldives’ economic success. “He (Muizzu) additionally explored avenues for expanding tourism cooperation and air connectivity between the two countries,” the Maldivian statement said.
India-Maldives Diplomatic Row
Muizzu’s visit to China is taking place against the backdrop of a diplomatic row between Male and New Delhi, which has traditionally been Male’s closest political and defence partner.
Deogratory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by now suspended ministers of the Muizzu administration have not only triggered a diplomatic row, but also prompted widespread boycott calls in India against the Maldives. Last year, India ranked as the top source of tourists for the Maldives’ tourism-reliant economy.
Addressing the Invest Maldives Forum in the southern port city of Fuzhou on Tuesday, Muizzu urged China to boost tourism to the Maldives so that Beijing could regain its pre-Covid position of being the top source of foreign tourists for the Indian Ocean nation.