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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer, on July 22, 2024. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

 
China-Maldives relations are standing at a new historical starting point, and China is ready to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with the Maldives in various fields, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday during his meeting with visiting Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer in Beijing. 
 
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 52 years ago, China and the Maldives have always respected and supported each other, setting an example of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes, Wang said, adding that there are no problems between the two countries, only friendship and cooperation. 

Wang said that China is willing to work with the Maldives to actively implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, closely engage in friendly exchanges at all levels, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and continuously enrich the content of the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic partnership. 

Wang said the just-concluded third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has released clear signals for further expanding the opening-up of the country to the outside world at a high level, which will provide new opportunities for cooperation for countries, including the Maldives. 

China is willing to work with the Maldives to further deepen practical cooperation in areas including investment, finance, the blue economy, the digital economy and green development, as well as expanding humanistic exchanges in the areas of tourism and education under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Wang added that China is also willing to continue to strengthen multilateral cooperation with the Maldives in areas of climate change, join hands to address global challenges, safeguard genuine multilateralism, protect the common interests of developing countries and international justice, and maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Zameer said the Maldives-China friendship has a long history and China has always been the closest partner of the Maldives.  

The Chinese side has long provided great assistance to the Maldives's economic and social development, helping to open up new horizons in the country's national development, for which the Maldives side is deeply grateful, Zameer added. The Maldives firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to continue to actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and further deepen mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, finance, tourism and humanities. 

Maldives is willing to closely communicate and collaborate with China in international affairs, strengthen mutual support, and make joint efforts toward building a Maldives-China community of shared future. 

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Zameer started his visit on Saturday, and it will conclude on Wednesday. 

Global Times