President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim have concluded the state visit to China. President Yameen and First Lady's state visit was made at the invitation of the President of China Xi Jinping.
During President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's State Visit to China from December 6-9, official talks were held between the Government of Maldives and the Government of China.
During the visit President Yameen held talks with President Xi Jinping and met with Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang separately.
In a warm and friendly atmosphere, leaders of the two countries had an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening traditional friendship and bilateral relationship, and reached broad consensus. The Maldivian side warmly congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the successful conclusion of its 19th National Congress, and the confirmation of President Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as an action guideline of CPC by the Congress.
The Maldivian side expressed its confidence that under the guidance of CPC Central Committee, with President Xi Jinping at the core, the Chinese people will move forward to achieving the two centenary goals and building China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful. On the other hand, the Chinese side reiterated to deepen relations with the Maldives and other neighboring countries in accordance with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the policy of forging friendship and partnership with its neighbors, to build a community with a shared future for mankind and create a bright tomorrow for all.
The two sides agreed that ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago, the two countries have been adhering to the principles of equality, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, which has resulted in the remarkable development of the bilateral relationship. Viewing from a strategic and long-term perspective, the two sides agreed to work towards elevating the existing China-Maldives Future-Oriented All-round Friendly and Cooperative Partnership to a new level.
The two sides held that the State Visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Maldives in September 2014 was a milestone to the China-Maldives relationship. Governments of the two countries will make common efforts to continue carrying out the consensus reached by the two Presidents and promote exchanges and cooperation in all areas, for the well-being of the two peoples.
The two sides further exchanged views on promoting trade and investments and the Maldivian side agreed to facilitate investments by Chinese enterprises in the Maldives, while the Chinese side agreed that they will encourage more competitive Chinese enterprises to invest in the Maldives and provide assistance within its capacity to Maldives' social and economic development. The Chinese side invited the Maldives side to attend the China International Import Expo.
During the visit, the two sides signed agreements on free trade, the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, economic and technological cooperation, human resource development, seawater desalination, solid waste treatment and recycling, health, meteorology and finance.