Newly appointed Ambassador of China to the Maldives Wang Lixin reveals China is ready to closely work with the Maldives to strengthen high-level exchanges. She made the remarks in a written interview forwarded to Maldivian and Chinese media.
In the interview, Ambassador Wang expressed hope to deepen traditional friendship between both countries, strengthen practical cooperation in various fields and further promote the future-oriented all-round friendly, and cooperative partnership between two countries.
Noting next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives, Ambassador Wang mentioned several celebratory events will be held to mark the milestone. Looking into the future, China is ready to work closely with the Maldives to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation in all areas, increase people-to-people exchanges, and take the future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership between two countries to a new level, she said.
Highlighting how the Belt and Road Initiative will assist better connect with the economic development of the Maldives and the economic diversification strategy initiated by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, she said the Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with the Maldives to actively explore new opportunities of cooperation in these areas, continuously deepen and enhance cooperation, and jointly promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road projects, so as to bring more benefits to the peoples of the two countries. China would like to coordinate and cooperate with the Maldivian side to implement the above consensus and advance bilateral relations in all respects, she added.
During the interview, Ambassador Wang also congratulated Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid for being appointed as the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), extending reassurance that China will always support his performance of duties. As such, she reiterated China stands ready to work together with all countries including the Maldives for an early victory against the pandemic.